The local government of Quezon City disclosed on Tuesday that it needs P27 billion to complete Mayor Joy Belmonte’s Drainage Master Plan, a project designed to mitigate flooding in the city.

City Councilor Alfred Vargas, who heads the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee, said that the six district congressmen, including his brother PM, have pledged to help raise funds for their respective districts.

The plan is intended to address flooding, which is often caused by the overflowing of major rivers that run through the city, including the San Juan and Tullahan rivers.

Vargas stressed that good governance is central to the project.

“We will be pushing for a live bidding proceeding soon,” Vargas said.

He also cited the importance of cooperation from residents, noting that a footbridge in Fairview recently collapsed due to trash that had clogged the area during recent heavy rains.

Peachy de Leon, a spokesperson for the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the plan was developed with input from experts at the University of the Philippines.