MASANTOL, Pampanga — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed optimism that the lives of the people in the low-lying towns of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga would significantly improve as he led the inauguration of the P7.57-B flood mitigation project in the area.
The Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project – Stage I (IDRR-CCA 1), located in Masantol, was spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
The president stated, “Once it is fully completed, the IDRR-CCA will reduce the flood level and flood duration from 66 days to 17 days in the municipalities of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Sto. Tomas.”
“We are very optimistic that this will redound to improving people’s lives by enhancing the disaster resilience of all our communities,” he added.
He underscored the project’s importance in his speech, noting the historical context and the challenges faced by Pampanga.
The Chief Executive attributed the project’s realization to the support from the Korean government, which came as a response to the devastating eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991.
“This led to heavy siltation along the streams, rivers, and all the waterways, decreasing the discharge capacities and causing heavy flooding during the rainy season,” he explained, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the flooding issues.
Marcos highlighted the project’s financial and technical backing from the Korean government, which facilitated the development of a comprehensive study, laying the foundation for the construction of necessary flood control structures.
“The IDRR-CCA 1 costs more than P7 billion and aims to mitigate flood damage by increasing the discharge capacity of the Third River, the Eastern Branch River, the Sapang Maragul River, and the Caduang Tete River,” he added.
The President also instructed DPWH to proceed with Stage 2 of the IDRR-CCA project to ensure long-term solutions to the flooding in Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Republic of Korea Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa highlighted the project’s significance in the broader context of Philippine-Korea relations.
“Today’s event is especially significant because it aligns well with other important occasions related to Philippine-Korea relations,” Lee remarked.
He praised the collaboration between the two nations, emphasizing the project’s role in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing community resilience.
“This project aims to significantly improve the drainage efficiency of the river channel network in Pampanga, thus alleviating the chronic flooding that has plagued many towns,” Lee added.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said, “Today is a significant milestone in our efforts to reduce the impacts of natural disasters.”
Pampanga 4th District Representative Anna York Bondoc added, “We are deeply honored by your presence today at the inauguration of the first-ever climate change loan of the Philippines,” as she emphasized the project’s conception more than 15 years ago. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project – Stage I in Masantol, Pampanga. This P7.57-billion infrastructure project, spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways and funded by the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund, aims to mitigate flood levels and reduce flooding duration in the province’s low-lying areas, particularly in the towns of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Santo Tomas. (PCO)