In response to recent flooding caused by heavy downpours, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Quezon City government to accelerate the implementation of vital flood-control measures.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the directive during a Palace press briefing, emphasizing the administration’s proactive stance on disaster mitigation and public safety.
Led by Secretary Vince Dizon, DPWH teams have been actively deployed to inspect flood-affected zones, assess on-the-ground conditions, and design targeted engineering solutions.
As part of the President’s directive, the DPWH is working closely with the Quezon City local government to align their respective flood-control master plans. This strategic synchronization aims to significantly speed up the recession of floodwaters during heavy weather events.
Recent field inspections focused heavily on critical thoroughfares, including G. Araneta Avenue and E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, which experienced severe submersions after the San Juan River overflowed due to torrential rains.
Despite the heavy volume of water, recent infrastructure interventions showed measurable progress:
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Faster Drainage: Floodwaters along G. Araneta Avenue receded in approximately six hours.
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Significant Improvement: Historical records from 2024 indicate that floodwaters in the same area previously took nearly a full day to subside.
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Key Factors: The faster drainage rate is attributed to recent enhancements in local drainage capacity and continuous clearing operations along the San Juan River.
The DPWH has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining close coordination with local government units across the metropolis. Moving forward, the agency will continue comprehensive assessments of flood-prone communities to deploy both immediate relief interventions and sustainable, long-term infrastructure solutions.
