President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to create 'integrated and future-proof' plans for Bicol River Basin Development Program.
"Inatasan ko ang DPWH, DENR, at DILG na makipagtulungan, kasama ang lokal na pamahalaan, upang maging integrated at future-proof ang kanilang mga plano at proyekto para sa Bicol River Basin," the President said on Wednesday, November 6, during the distribution of government assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in Camarines Sur.
President Marcos mentioned that the DPWH completed the master plan and the feasibility study for the Bicol River Basin last July.
"Hulyo nitong taon ay nakumpleto na ng Department of Public Works and Highways ang updating, ang pagbabago ng Master Plan at Feasibility Study ng Bicol River Basin upang gawin itong akma sa mga hamon ng pagbabago ng klima natin," the Chief Executive said.
"Sa kasalukuyan ay inaayos na ang Detailed Engineering Design na inaasahang masisimulan sa first quarter ng susunod na taon," he added.
Last October, President Marcos ordered DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan to reevaluate the Bicol River Basin Development Program, which he believes could address the flooding in the region.
The father and namesake of President Marcos Jr., the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., initiated the the Bicol River Basin Development Program in the 1970s.
The project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development, was scrapped in 1986.
