Dizon: Gov’t not giving up on flooding

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said the government will continue to find ways to address the country’s flooding problem.

Dizon said “Oplan Kontra Baha” (OKB) has been implemented in identified flood-prone areas to mitigate the impact of flooding, especially during the rainy season.

He said the government continues declogging, dredging, and desilting rivers, canals, and other waterways in flood-prone areas to ease flooding.

Dizon said the President has ordered the strict implementation and expansion of Oplan Kontra Baha to ensure government readiness during the rainy months.

“Before we craft projects, we really make sure that they will help our mitigation program. We have many projects to implement that do not require spending billions of pesos. Like what we are doing now under Oplan Kontra Baha, what is mainly needed is equipment,” Dizon said.

The DPWH chief added that the government is also looking at ways to expand river tributaries, construct retention ponds, and reactivate cut-off channels as part of its flood control efforts.