Marcos optimistic 'Oplan Kontra Baha' can solve Metro Manila flood woes

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed optimism that the Oplan Kontra Baha program would alleviate flood woes in the metro and nearby areas.

Marcos led the simultaneous launch of the Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations to mitigate the effects of flooding in the National Capital Region and its adjacent areas.

This, as Marcos ordered a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach through regular clearing and declogging of debris and garbage in waterways and drainages to prevent floods. 

He also ensured the operability of pumping stations to curb flooding in low-lying areas.

“Ang estimate ng ating mga siyentipiko ay sabi nila mababawasan ng up to 60 percent ang pagbaha kung ito ay maging maayos na,” Marcos said. 

(Scientists estimate around 60% decrease in flooding if this will be fixed.)

“That is what this signifies now. It’s the beginning of a very wide-ranging program to at least partially solve the problem of flooding especially in the urban areas, especially in Metro Manila and the other highly urbanized cities and provinces,” he added. 

Marcos said the first phase of the project would be conducted in the next nine months. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Metro Manila local government units and private sector partners, was tasked to lead the task force that will implement effective waste disposal and management, dredging, and clearing of illegal structures and obstructions along waterways and drainages.

The DPWH said that a total of 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros and 333.15 kilometers of drainage systems throughout the entire Metro Manila will be covered by the program

Marcos said the program would also be implemented in other provinces, including Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro. 

Meanwhile, the President also said the necessary equipment would be utilized as he noticed that some have remained idle in the DPWH warehouse for years.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News