Marcos: Flooding not only due to anomalous flood control projects, also climate change

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday warned about how climate change is affecting the country, saying that the flooding in Central Luzon is not only due to anomalous flood control projects.

“Ang problema, kitang-kita, siyempre alam naman natin na marami sa — halimbawa sa Bulacan — na mga flood control na hindi nagawa kaya nagkakaganito,” he said in an ambush interview.

(The problem is clearly evident. Of course, we know that many — for example, in Bulacan — of the flood control projects were not implemented, which is why this is happening.)

“Ngunit kailangan din nating maunawaan na hindi lang dahil sa problema ng flood control project kundi pati na sa lakas talaga ng ulan na hindi pa natin nakita sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ito ay naging resulta ng climate change,” he added.

(However, we also need to understand that it is not only because of the problems with flood control projects, but also because of the sheer intensity of the rain, which we have never seen in Philippine history. This was a result of climate change.)

This came following a situation briefing at the Pampanga Provincial Capital regarding the flooding in Central Luzon due to the Southwest Monsoon.

Marcos said that the government is eyeing to implement immediate measures and long-term solutions.

He said the government seeks to conduct repairs, but added that there are difficulties due to the weather.

“Halimbawa, merong mga lugar, may tubig pa. Hindi pa natin ma-assess kung ano ‘yung damage dahil may tubig pa, binabaha pa. Kailangan natin antayin ‘yan,” the president said.

(For example, there are areas that are still flooded. We cannot yet assess the damage because there is still water and they are still flooded. We need to wait.)

“Pangalawa, binabantayan natin ang panahon kasi kahit ‘yung mga nasira, pag aayusin natin ngayon, pag bumalik na naman diyan, at masisira ulit ‘yung bagong gawa, napakasayang naman nung ating gagawin,” he added.

(Second, we are monitoring the weather because even if we repair the damage now, if it happens again, the newly repaired structures will be damaged again, and all our work would go to waste.)

According to the the Palace, the government is also looking into dredging and declogging of drainages as well as the establishment of flood gates and pumping station at Sabo Dam.

Aside from this, he said there are projects for river dams in Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, he said the government is looking into the construction of a 100-kilometer dike.

“Pinag-aaralan ngayon natin. That’s about 100 kilometers, kaya medyo matatagalan, pero pinag-aaralan na natin. At the very least, meron tayong plano at meron na tayong masisimulan,” he said.

(We are studying it now. That’s about 100 kilometers, so it may take some time, but we are already studying it. At the very least, we have a plan and something we can start on.)

The President said that the immediate needs of the public, such as food, shelter, and health supplies, are being addressed.—AOL/RSJ, GMA News