Marcos wants higher flood walls, reforestation to mitigate flooding
A boy rides on a discarded refrigerator as he and other members of the family evacuate from their flooded home in Tumana village, Marikina City, east of Manila on July 24, 2024, amid heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Gaemi. Relentless rain drenched the northern Philippines on July 24, triggering flooding in Manila and landslides in mountainous regions as Typhoon Gaemi intensified the seasonal monsoon. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. identified higher flood walls, “aggressive” reforestation programs, and waste-to-energy initiatives as key measures to mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and other areas, the Palace said on Wednesday.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos made the pronouncement during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Infrastructure and Digital Infrastructure Sector Groups and other concerned agencies in Malacañang on Tuesday.
“Building higher flood walls can do the trick,” the PCO quoted Marcos as saying.
The President also noted that the government’s reforestation efforts to control flooding are not enough.
READ: Marcos calls for stricter enforcement of illegal logging bans amid Enteng
Article continues after this advertisement“Also key to address flooding is the implementation of an aggressive reforestation program…addressing the garbage problem through a waste-to-energy initiatives is another measure,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementMarcos said the capacity of the government’s flood control system has decreased because of the rising population in the country.
“All garbage ends up in waterways, making pumping stations fail,” the President said.
“The watershed areas eventually suffer due to irresponsible garbage disposal,” he added.
READ: Marcos calls for updated flood hazard maps
In July, floods ravaged several parts of the country, including Metro Manila, due to the effects of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
