Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday called for unity across all levels of government and zero politicking in the implementation of local infrastructure projects.
Remulla issued the appeal as the government intensifies efforts to address widespread flooding following Habagat-induced heavy rains that inundated major parts of Luzon.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll since August 1 has now climbed to 39, with 19 persons injured and 3 others missing.
The inclement weather characterized by nonstop rains has triggered landslides, flashfloods, and drenched most of Luzon, affecting 2.7 million families or 9.4 million persons and compelling 118 LGUs to declare states of calamity.
Following the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to execute plans on flood control projects, Remulla said a whole-of-government approach is necessary to effectively address the country’s persistent flooding problem.
‘Kailangan magkaisa tayo. Mula local hanggang national, dapat magkaisa tayo,’ he said.
During the turnover of the Imus Retarding Basin in Imus City, Cavite, Remulla stressed that corruption-free implementation and good politics can deliver government projects that genuinely benefit and protect communities.
‘Wala kang makikitang kalokohan dito. Ito ang resulta ng tamang politika,’ he said.
Remulla said the more than P2-billion project was implemented through a clean transaction between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine government, resulting in flood control infrastructure designed to deliver concrete protection to communities.
He cited the well-studied partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and JICA, expressing optimism that the project can serve as a model for flood mitigation infrastructure in other parts of the country and help address recurring chest-deep flooding in Imus.
‘Hindi high technology ito. Hindi komplikadong sistema ito. Simple proven science that was perfected in Japan, which the Japanese government generously provided us with assistance,’ Remulla said.
Located along Palanas Road in Barangay Anabu 1-G, Imus City, the 35-hectare retarding basin can store up to 1.12 million cubic meters of stormwater during heavy rains. The collected water will later be gradually released, helping regulate the overflow of the Imus River and reduce flood flow toward low-lying areas.
Remulla said replicating retarding basins in strategic areas nationwide, including the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija, could provide a practical solution to the recurring flooding experienced by communities.
With the facility’s formal turnover to the Cavite Provincial Government, the local government unit (LGU) will assume responsibility for its maintenance and security to ensure its long-term functionality amid the continuing threat of typhoons and the southwest monsoon.
Also present during the turnover ceremony were DPWH Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ Dizon, Cavite Governor Francisco Gabriel ‘Abeng’ D. Remulla, Cavite Vice Governor Ramon Vicente ‘Ram’ H. Bautista, Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula, and JICA Chief Representative Baba Takashi.