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DUTERTE EMERGENCY POWERS NEEDED TO SOLVE FLOOD PROBLEM – CASTELO

“This never-ending problem of flooding may already need the emergency powers of President Rodrigo Duterte.”

This according to Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, Chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, who expressed his frustration over the recurring flood problem during one of his many visits to affected areas and evacuation centers.

“The details of the emergency powers to be given to President Duterte can be tackled in a Flood Summit that he earlier proposed.

“I had appealed for the implementation of the projects to mitigate the effects of flooding to be given priority for completion before the rainy season but it is now June and the rains have started to inundate Metro Manila and the projects are still not completed,” an obviously exasperated Castelo lamented.

The details of the emergency powers to be given to President Duterte can be tackled in a Flood Summit that Rep. Winnie Castelo earlier proposed.

“The government should speed up the Metro Manila Flood Control Management Project (MMFCMP) which is crucial in ending the problem of intense flooding in Metro Manila during the wet season. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank (WB) already funded this P25-billion project aimed at making Metro Manila safe from flooding,” Castelo said.

The government should speed up the Metro Manila Flood Control Management Project (MMFCMP) which is crucial in ending the problem of intense flooding in Metro Manila during the wet season.

“A Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study showed the economy loses P2.4 billion per day from flooding which results in stalled vehicle traffic that in turn disrupts businesses,” Castelo added.

“A focus on the flood problem would also show to the public the government’s determination to protect the welfare of Filipinos who not only lose economic opportunity but also risk their health from their frequent encounter with floods,” Castelo concluded.

The proposed emergency powers to be given to the President will allow agencies, primarily the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to cut through red tape in implementing the anti-flood projects and relieve Metro Manila of the recurring problem.

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