Marcos open to probe of flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — As the country reels from the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon, President Marcos has expressed openness to an investigation into the administration’s flood control projects, citing the need to improve existing designs to address the unprecedented effects of climate change.

“I have no problem with that, but also they have to realize that there are two sides to this,” Marcos told reporters in Batangas when asked to react to plans to look into the government’s flood control programs.

“Our flood control was really overwhelmed. We have flood control, but it was not able to withstand (the typhoons) because in the entire history of the Philippines, this has not happened before. It is only now that we are facing something like this,” he added.

Late last month, Senate President Francis Escudero said he expects an intense scrutiny of the government’s flood control programs when the Senate starts its plenary debates on the proposed 2025 national budget next week.

Escudero added that flood control budget would be a “hot topic” when senators tackle the appropriations of agencies like the public works, interior and local government, social welfare and defense departments as several parts of the country were devastated by Kristine.

Marcos said people should understand that the issue is not just about the budget, but also the science of the ongoing phenomenon.

He noted that similar disasters also struck other countries, like Spain and the United States.

“What we will do is we will change our designs, strengthen our infrastructure, flood control, slope protection and our bridges,” he added.

Flood control projects were designed for cyclones like Ondoy, whose rainfall was more than 400 millimeters, but Kristine’s rainfall was more than 700 mm, according to the President.

“We can really see the effects of climate change that we are talking about... We do not need to read the reports or studies of scientists. We know how serious the effect of climate change will be... We just continue to help (the affected areas),” he said.

“It’s climate change. It’s something that never happened before, and it is something that we have to deal with. There’s no other way... We have to be smarter. We have to be more technologically aware of what is available so that we can reduce the effects,” he added.

In July, Escudero called for a probe on flood control projects, citing the repetitive cycle of flooding in the country.

Marcos distributed P60 million in assistance to six towns in Batangas hit by Kristine. Each of the six municipalities, namely Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Lemery and Balete, received P10 million.

Dynamic Learning Program

The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is all set for the implementation this month of an intervention program to combat the learning loss due to several class suspensions caused by typhoons that hit the country recently.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the DepEd said its Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) is set for pilot implementation in schools in Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol and Cordillera Administrative Region starting this month, “to support education continuity.”

Schools in these regions were the ones severely affected by the recent onslaught of Kristine and Leon.

“The DLP initiative is designed to address disruptions caused by disasters and other challenges by promoting independent, resource-efficient learning,” the DepEd’s statement read.

Under the DLP, affected schools shall have the flexibility to conduct make-up classes and utilize DLP learning activity sheets in temporary learning spaces.

The DepEd said the activity sheets are designed to be “simple, targeted and adaptable.”

The program’s features also include parallel classes, activity-based engagement, student portfolios and a reduced homework policy.

“The program encourages learners to engage deeply with lessons and build essential skills like writing, problem-solving and critical thinking,” the DepEd said.

It added that the program seeks to “restore educational opportunities for students” through “resilient and adaptable” learning practices.

“We’re bringing resilience to the heart of learning so that no student’s education has to pause when challenges arise,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

Shelter repair materials

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has distributed shelter repair materials to more than 500 families in Batangas whose houses were damaged by Kristine’s onslaught.

In a press statement, the DHSUD said the home materials and essentials included galvanized iron roofs, marine plywood, lumbers and nails, “which are necessary for the repair of damaged residences.”

“Upon receiving the report from our regional office on the severe damage to residential structures in Batangas province, we deployed our teams to coordinate with local chief executives and gather data particularly on the number of affected and displaced families,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“This is the DHSUD’s contribution to the President’s call for a ‘conveyor belt of aid’ for typhoon victims. We will exhaust all available resources to extend assistance to our kababayans,” Acuzar added. — Elizabeth Marcelo