PBBM: Higher flood walls, aggressive reforestation to control flooding

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is seeking the creation of higher flood walls and the implementation of aggressive reforestation program to control flooding, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Marcos' plans were raised during his meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC)-Infrastructure and Digital Infrastructure Sector Groups at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a news release.

During the meeting with the PSAC, Marcos said building higher flood walls "can do the trick."

The PSAC said the construction of common towers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas could also help mitigate flooding.

Marcos said the implementation of an aggressive reforestation program is also key to address flooding, but acknowledged that it is not enough to manage flood risk.

He added the capacity of the government's flood control system has decreased because of the country's rising population.

Marcos said waste-to-energy initiatives could also be an effective flood prevention strategy, considering that garbage problem caused perennial flooding during the onslaught of typhoons.

"All garbage ends up in waterways, making pumping stations fail," the President said, according to the PCO news release, adding that the watershed areas eventually suffer due to "irresponsible" garbage disposal.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Marcos said his administration, with the help of the private sector, is committed to pursuing flood-control projects that will benefit Filipinos, especially those living in remote areas.

The PSAC, during a meeting with Marcos on Aug. 29, cited the need to implement flood control basins as part of the government's Infrastructure Flagship Projects, particularly on the 88 rivers identified by the Integrated Water Resources Management Office. (PNA)