President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies to come up with a “holistic approach” and coordinate with local government units (LGUs) to address the flood problems in the country.

“Well, iyong holistic approach kailangan talaga iyan pero ang kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo sinabi nga ni (Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary) Usec. Claire (Castro) kanina mabilisang aksiyon – iyon ang ginagawa namin,” said Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

“Sisigundahan ko lang ulit, pagpasok ko sa DPWH, ang sabi ng Pangulo, kailangan coordinated tayo nang tama sa mga LGU natin. Kasi alam ninyo naman iyong isa sa mga paulit-ulit na reklamo ng mga LGUs natin itong mga nakaraang taon lalo na sa flood mitigation projects ay hindi kinu-coordinate sa kanila in most cases, like Quezon City,” Dizon also said.

“Iyong holistic solutions kasi they take time, there are no overnight solutions to this problem that we’ve been experiencing floods for decades. This is not a problem that can be fixed overnight, but ang directive ng Pangulo bilisan ang pag-aksiyon para ma-address na natin ito,” the DPWH secretary added.

Dizon said the DPWH is also making small improvements, but noted that this is not enough and that they have to keep working on it.

“We have to keep on fast-tracking the projects,” he said.

Dizon added that the Quezon City mayor pointed out that they were not even informed about flood control projects in their area.

“So, ngayon lahat ng flood control efforts natin is coordinated with all the LGUs. In fact, hindi kami gumagalaw diyan nang hindi alam ng mga LGU at hindi akma sa kanilang master plan,” Dizon said.

Dizon noted that the drainage master plan, as well as projects proposed under the 2027 budget, require certifications from the regional and local development councils and local government units (LGUs).

“Wala kaming ipapasok na project dito na hindi coordinated at hindi alam ng LGU at hindi kini-clear ng mga LGUs,” the DPWH secretary said.

“So, we just have to keep on working – that’s the President’s directive. Fast action, tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho and coordination sa ating mga LGUs,” Dizon added.

Dizon’s statement was made after the media asked about new directives from President Marcos in light of the heavy flooding experienced in most parts of Metro Manila on Monday. Presidential News Desk