This handout photo courtesy of Angelica Villarta taken on December 27, 2022 and received on December 28 shows residents surveying damage caused by heavy rain and floods in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. (Photo by Handout / Angelica Villarta / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and conduct a study on how to address the flooding in Misamis Occidental.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the President issued the order during a situation briefing in Ozamiz City.
“President Marcos said he wants the DPWH to determine the cause of the floods in the province and work with concerned agencies to carry out a solution,” the PCO said in a statement.
It added that Marcos suggested asking for the assistance of Japan, which he said has vast experience and expertise in dealing with flooding.
Local Misamis Occidental officials also raised the idea of constructing a structure that will divert the water running through a river to lessen the flooding in Clarin town.
“According to local officials, weeks of heavy downpours have damaged bridges and other infrastructure, including the flood control system constructed by the government,” the PCO said.
“They told the President that more than 16,000 families were affected by the flood in their province,” it added.
Currently, flood-affected families are being sheltered in evacuation centers.
Damage to a total of 76 infrastructures has now reached P132.14 million, including two bridges in Oroquieta City.
The PCO added that damage to 5,594.75 hectares of damaged agricultural land has been recorded at 154.38 million in Northern Mindanao.
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