DPWH, LGUs to fast-track priority projects

DPWH, LGUs Unite to Fast-Track Priority Projects Amid Flooding Concerns

As the country prepares for the upcoming rainy season, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is intensifying its efforts to expedite priority projects aimed at alleviating flooding concerns. This move aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to collaborate with local governments nationwide to resolve infrastructure-related problems and ensure that funds allocated for projects are effectively utilized in communities.

According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the agency will be meeting with local government units (LGUs) to discuss the fast-tracking of priority projects. This collaboration is crucial in addressing flooding concerns, as mayors and local officials have intimate knowledge of the specific challenges faced by their communities.

We need to work closely with mayors because they are best positioned to understand the problems on the ground, Dizon emphasized during his inspection of infrastructure projects and Oplan Kontra Baha (OKB) sites in Naga City and Quezon City. The president has instructed us to engage with all mayors, and we will continue to work together to resolve these issues.

Oplan Kontra Baha is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing perennial flooding in low-lying areas through the implementation of science-based projects, clearing of illegal structures in waterways, and the strict enforcement of proper solid waste management practices. As part of this effort, DPWH Secretary Dizon inspected sites where OKB is being implemented, including the Bicol River Esplanade.

In Quezon City, Dizon met with Mayor Joy Belmonte to inspect the Matalahib Creek Pumping Station, which is expected to reduce flooding in Barangay Talayan and Sto. Domingo. The project has been pending since August 2025 due to the revocation of the contractor's license.

Earlier, DPWH completed a larger drainage project on G. Araneta Avenue and ordered the installation of mobile pumps while the pumping station at E. Rodriguez Avenue is not yet finished. Additionally, the department ordered continuous dredging and cleaning of the San Juan River.

Dizon stressed that DPWH will continue to work closely with LGUs to ensure that waterways are smooth and free of obstructions before the rainy season arrives. The government is committed to expediting waterway improvement projects. Once completed, floodwaters are likely to recede faster, reducing the risk of damage to properties and infrastructure, he said.

Similar efforts are underway in many other parts of the country as part of Oplan Kontra Baha, highlighting the department's commitment to addressing perennial flooding issues. Dizon emphasized that President Marcos Jr.'s instruction is clear We need to speed up our work because come June, it will rain again, there will be flooding again. So now, that's what we are really doing – working continuously to ensure that these projects are completed quickly.

Overall, the collaborative efforts between DPWH and LGUs demonstrate a commitment to addressing the root causes of flooding concerns and ensuring that priority projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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