By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The government is pursuing a river basin-by-river basin strategy to address flooding instead of relying on a single nationwide master plan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon told lawmakers Wednesday.
Dizon confirmed during a House Committee on Appropriations hearing that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has no consolidated national plan for flood control and drainage.
The disclosure came after Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno asked Dizon whether the country still lacked a comprehensive national strategy for flood control.
“You are correct, Cong. Chel,” Dizon said, explaining that the department has been developing master plans for individual major rivers and river basins over the past several years.
“So, wala po talagang consolidated national plan,” he added.
Dizon said the approach was based on recommendations from the DPWH’s foreign partners, who advised the government to develop flood-control strategies suited to the specific conditions of each major river basin.
According to Dizon, all 18 major river basins in the country already have flood control plans.
The revelation came as lawmakers scrutinized the DPWH’s proposed budget and flood-control programs amid continuing concerns over recurring flooding and the effectiveness of government infrastructure projects.
Rather than impose a uniform solution nationwide, the DPWH has opted to address flooding according to the characteristics and needs of individual river systems.
Dizon’s statement underscored the administration’s targeted approach to flood mitigation, with planning and infrastructure interventions organized around major river basins rather than a single nationwide blueprint.
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