P5-B flood control projects on schedule – DPWH

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) clarified on Saturday, July 19, that it did not stop high-priority flood control projects worth P5 billion (around $115 million*).

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson made a statement in response to a Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) report the projects, funded under the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), had been put on hold.

“We did not stop the P5-billion high-priority impact flood control projects included in our Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas in Central Luzon and Laguna Lake,” said Singson.

The report quoted Singson as saying that with the Supreme Court decision deeming as unconstitutional some executive actions under the DAP, the DPWH had to temporarily put on hold the projects until Congress passes a supplemental budget, but the Cabinet official now says otherwise.

“Contrary to the published story, we are relentlessly pursuing these projects as planned and on schedule, especially at this point in time when the country is bracing against strong typhoons,” Singson said.

PDI’s report came two days after typhoon Glenda (international codename Rammasun) wreaked havoc in Metro Manila and southern Luzon.

Singson pointed out the positive effects of these flood control projects.

“Although, some parts of Metro Manila have been inundated [during typhoon Glenda], the water level was not as high as the usual floods experienced before,” said Singson.

The statement also mentioned several flood control projects included in the Flood Management Master Plan that have already been completed:

• 2 projects on the Manila Bay seawall – P211.05 million
• 6 projects in the Upper Marikina River improvement project (Nangka River) – P222.5 million
• Dredging works along Marikina River – P50 million
• Dredging works along Mangahan Floodway – P100 million
• 4 projects for the construction of slope protection along Cainta and Taytay Rivers – P190 million
• 5 out of 6 projects to include restoration of damaged slope protection along Marikina River, rehabilitation of Tullahan River, repair of damaged slope protection along Lakeshore Dike, and construction and repair of Napindan revetment wall – P113 million
• 2 out of 3 projects on the restoration and rehabilitation of San Fernando-Sto. Tomas-Minalin Tail dike – P139 million
• Construction of spillway 1 and 3, including clearing and desilting/excavation of tributary rivers – P637 million
• Rehabilitation works on Del Carmen-Balimbing creek in San Fernando, Pampanga – P30 million
• Dredging works along Orani Channel, Bataan – P50 million

The status of ongoing projects were also posted:

• 46 projects in Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan project (P1.53 billion) – 81.84% complete
• 18 projects in the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas area (P600 million) – 54% complete
• Dredging of Labangan Channel in Hagonoy, Bulacan – 78.2% complete
  Convergence program with Laguna Lake Development Authority for the construction of river control structure at Sta. Maria-Mabitac River and Sta. Cruz-San Pedro-Biñan rivers (P780 million) – 92.52% complete
• Pasac Delta waterway in Guagua and Sasmuan, Pampanga (P43.5 million) – 19.5% complete

The DPWH also said that it has started preliminary works on the Manila Bay breakwater extension. – Rappler.com

* $1 = P43.51