SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will convene a high-level meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss flood preparation and mitigation in Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas in the country.
The head of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives has asked the secretaries of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman to attend the conference.
“Seryoso nating pinaghahandaan ang pagdating ng La Niña bago pa man ito maka-apekto sa ating bansa. Itinaas na ng PAGASA ang alarma kung kaya mahalaga ang ating pagkakaisa at agarang aksyon upang maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad sa posibleng pagbaha,” he said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng DPWH, DENR, DILG, at MMDA, at siyempre ng ating mga local government official, atin pong pinalalakas ang ating mga hakbang sa paghahanda at pag-iwas sa mga sakuna upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
He said food security, sufficient water supply, energy availability, public health, public safety, mobility, and interconnectivity would be given priority in the preparations.
“Kailangang mahigpit ang ugnayan ng national government at mga local government unit para maipatupad ang mga aksyon sa malawakang paghahanda na gagawin natin,” he added.
“Ang utos sa atin ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay gawin ang lahat ng nararapat para tiyakin na ligtas sa kapahamakan ang mga komunidad at ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez stressed.
He urged communities to join the national government and local government units in preparing for possible flooding.
“Hihingin din natin ang pakikipagtulungan ang mga komunidad at lahat ng mamamayan sa paghahandang gagawin natin. Higit kailanman, ngayon natin kailangan ang pagkakaisa para maiwasan ang sakuna at masamang epekto na dala ng La Niña,” he said.
“Gagawin natin ang lahat para maging ligtas at malayo sa kapahamakan ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The House leader said Tuesday’s meeting aims to foster a unified strategy that not only addresses the immediate impacts of potential flooding but also fortifies long-term resilience in communities at risk.
“The dialogue will focus on integrating infrastructure development, environmental management, and community-based approaches to form a comprehensive flood mitigation framework. The insights and agreements from this meeting will be pivotal in shaping the national response to flood risks,” he added.
He assured the public that they would be informed of the results of the conference to better prepare them for the adverse effects of La Niña
