PSAC urges stronger disaster, water resilience

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) is urging the government to accelerate investments and reforms aimed at preparing the country for earthquakes, floods and water shortages before they become full-blown crises.

During its eighth Infrastructure Sector meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace, PSAC presented recommendations covering building safety, flood management and water security.

Need to act before disasters happen

“We should not wait for the next earthquake, flood, or drought. We need to act before it happens,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, PSAC lead convenor and president and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

For earthquake resilience, the council recommended full implementation of PNS 49:2026, tougher standards for earthquake-resistant reinforcing steel and stricter testing of imported cement.

It also proposed a Building Resilience Seal for homes and other structures that pass inspections for earthquake resilience.

PSAC cited the destruction of 12,500 metric tons of imported cement by the Department of Trade and Industry in April after the products failed strength and durability tests as an indication of the need for tighter enforcement.

System wide approach

On flood control, the council called for a system-wide approach rather than addressing individual projects separately. Its recommendations include clearing the Manggahan Floodway, pursuing the Parañaque Spillway, supporting waste-to-energy facilities and establishing a Department of Water Resources to coordinate flood control, drainage, drought response and water supply.

“On flooding, we cannot solve it project by project. We have to look at the whole system,” Aboitiz said.