Following direct directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify disaster response and implement critical flood mitigation measures, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected critical disaster zones in Benguet and Baguio City on Friday.
Secretary Dizon ordered the immediate deepening and rehabilitation of the Bolo Creek in La Trinidad, Benguet. This strategic intervention aims to safeguard the livelihoods of local farmers in the surrounding strawberry farmlands, which have suffered from recurring, severe flooding for over two decades.
Key highlights of the inspection and intervention:
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Bolo Creek Deepening: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will clear and deepen Bolo Creek to improve water drainage capacity and protect the iconic La Trinidad strawberry fields from seasonal overflow.
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Guisad Surong Inspection: Secretary Dizon personally visited the landslide ground zero in Guisad Surong, Baguio City, where continuous heavy rains in recent weeks triggered tragic fatalities and the destruction of residential homes.
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Presidential Directive: The rapid response aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s standing order to establish robust flood control interventions in flood-prone regions and provide comprehensive support to local government units affected by relentless monsoon rains.
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Government Commitment: The DPWH is fast-tracking engineering solutions to prevent further loss of life and property, assuring affected residents of continuous government aid and structural rehabilitation. “We are prioritizing resilient infrastructure to protect both our agricultural communities and urban families from the worsening impacts of severe weather,” Secretary Dizon emphasized during the ocular inspection.
The DPWH, in coordination with local government units, is mobilizing heavy equipment and engineering teams to commence the Bolo Creek dredging and structural stabilization of landslide-prone hillsides in the Cordillera region.
