Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol – Official Facebook Page of Rep. Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol
MANILA, Philippines — Following the devastation of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in Bicol, a lawmaker has proposed the construction of large-scale water impounding facilities across the region to alleviate flooding during storms and address water shortages during dry season.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co explained that water management through these facilities would “benefit irrigation and serve residential water needs.”
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“By improving irrigation, we can aim for two to three rice croppings per year, much like Japan,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Citing as an example, Co mentioned the six-story-deep water impounding structure in Taguig’s Bonifacio Global City that captures rainwater and store it underground so flooding in the ground level is less likely to happen.
“Such facilities, he explained, would aid in managing floodwaters and contribute to enhancing food security by supporting increased rice production,” his statement said.
“The stored water can be a valuable resource during summer, providing both irrigation and drinking water. This initiative supports both food security and climate resilience for the region,” he added.
Aside from these, the lawmaker revealed “ongoing discussions to create tunnel systems through Bicol’s mountain ranges to expedite water diversion to the sea.”
He explained that these tunnels would serve as “a flush system, allowing [locals] to release excess floodwater during extreme weather events.”
Bicol Region bore the brunt of Kristine, flooding crops and villages, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees, and toppling off electrical posts there.
Based on the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council data, Kristine has so far affected over seven million people nationwide.
A total of 145 people were reportedly killed due to the storm, 46 of which are in Bicol Region.