President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assigned various agencies and local government units (LGUs) to collaborate on the integrated and future-proof implementation of plans for the Bicol River Basin.

The initiative was announced during President Marcos’ visit to Camarines Sur on Wednesday where he led the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF) affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

“Inaatasan ko ang DPWH, DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), at DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) na makkipagtulungan, kasama ang lokal na pamahalaan, upang maging integrated at future-proof ang kanilang mga plano at proyekto para sa Bicol River Basin,” the President said.

According to President Marcos, this directive aligns with the goal of preventing severe flooding amid the changing climate.

“Nagbigay ako ng direktiba sa bawat ahensya ng gobyerno na gumawa ng mga stratehiyang akma sa ating pangmalawakang matinding pagbaha at maiwasan na ang ganyang klaseng baha sa kabila ng inaasahang pagbabago ng panahon,” President Marcos said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was directed by the Chief Executive to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program.

President Marcos also highlighted the agency’s recent completion of the Master Plan and Feasibility Study update for the basin in July, which now includes adaptive measures for climate change.

“Sa kasalukuyan ay inaayos na ang Detailed Engineering Design na inaasahang masisimulan sa first quarter ng susunod na taon,” the President said.

The President instructed the DPWH, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other agencies to ensure that infrastructures are well-researched and robust to make them durable and effective.

“Kaya sa DPWH, DOTr, DTI, at iba pang ahensya, dapat masiguro natin na ang imprastraktura ay matitibay at pinag-aralan nang mabuti. Suriin ninyo ang mga materyales na gagamitin at mga proseso sa pagpapagawa ng mga ito,” the President said.

“Para naman sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management), [siguruhing] tuloy-tuloy ang pagtugon sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, sa pamamagitan ng Quick Response Fund, lalo na at may banta pa ng panibagong bagyo,” he added.

In his visit, the President led the distribution of PhP50 million in assistance from the Office of the President, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 5,000 calamity victims. | PND