President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday pledged to sustain the government’s comprehensive rehabilitation efforts to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of typhoons, severe flooding, and river overflows.
The Chief Executive conducted a personal inspection of the ongoing Mananga River rehabilitation project in Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, Cebu. He was accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.
President Marcos said: “We are continuing our efforts so that the immense damage caused by typhoons, the river, and flooding that destroyed so much here will not happen again.”
Recalling the severe, long-lasting flooding that previously plagued communities along the Mananga River, President Marcos highlighted the immediate remedial measures and structural upgrades executed by the government:
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Innovative Engineering: Moving away from traditional concrete, the government renovated flood-control structures using alternative, highly durable materials designed to better withstand harsh elements.
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70-Meter Dam Construction: To manage heavy water volumes from Cebu’s major river systems, a new 70-meter dam has been constructed along the Mananga River.
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Advanced Drainage Systems: New drainage infrastructure was installed to prevent water stagnation. “When water accumulates behind our flood-control structures, there is now an outlet so it won’t sit there for weeks whenever it rains,” the President explained.
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Enforcement of “No Build Zones”: Working closely with local government units (LGUs), the administration has strictly enforced safety zones and relocated residents living in high-risk areas. “They were in constant danger staying here,” Marcos noted.
To ensure the continuity of these critical safety projects, President Marcos announced that funding for the next phase of the infrastructure plan has already been integrated into the upcoming National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027.
The future strategy involves trapping heavy water upstream before it can inundate low-lying residential areas.
“It is already budgeted, and we will ensure that this allocation remains untouched as it goes through the legislative budget process,” the President assured.
The Chief Executive concluded by reaffirming that the government will continuously repair, redesign, and adapt flood-control measures across Cebu’s three major river systems to guarantee long-term climate resilience for the province.
