DPWH revising engineering solution
AS heavy rains brought about by Tropical Cyclone Kristine inundated the Bicol Region to an extent not seen in 30 years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it would be changing the way it deals with rampant flooding across the country. Stung by criticism and allegations of corruption in flood control projects, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said flooding needs to be addressed holistically, stressing that engineering solutions are just part of it. "Because of the climate change phenomenon, it has to be done holistically. We need to look at the environment and social aspects of the problem," he said. The DPWH, Bonoan added, is aware that the flood control situation in the country has become worse because of climate change, adding that it is the reason they are now reviewing the parameters of existing engineering solutions. "We are using, I think, a 25- to 30-year return period. We will adjust it to a 50-year return period to make it stronger. This is a big ticket engineering solution but this will take some time," he said. He said, though, that the DPWH will implement the plan immediately. "We have to address on a river basin approach because what we are actually undertaking are small flood control projects to provide immediate relief on low lying areas," he said. "It has to be addressed on a river basin approach so that it will be holistic." As of 6 a.m. Thursday, Bonoan said, there were still 27 road sections in the Bicol Region that were unpassable even as he pointed out that there are many passable secondary roads and seven sections in the national road that were now passable to heavy vehicles. He added that DPWH personnel were on standby in affected areas, particularly along the Maharlika Highway, considered as the lifeline road to the Bicol Region. "We continue to monitor because Tropical Storm Kristine is still in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, particularly in Regions 1 and 2," Bonoan said. "As soon as floods in affected areas subside, our personnel can immediately work on the damaged roads and hopefully open them to traffic in the afternoon." The DPWH-Bureau of Maintenance said the affected road sections that remain closed to traffic was down to 27 from 30. The affected areas are road sections in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region and East Visayas. The road closures have been caused by a variety of incidents, including soil collapse, flooding, road slips, fallen trees, collapsed detour roads, pavement failures, rockslides, landslides, and collapsed bridges. In addition, seven road sections in the CAR, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas have limited access due to flooding or soil collapse. Meanwhile, all national roads and bridges in other affected regions remain passable to all types of vehicles.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
AS heavy rains brought about by Tropical Cyclone Kristine inundated the Bicol Region to an extent not seen in 30 years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it would be changing the way it deals with rampant flooding across the country.
Stung by criticism and allegations of corruption in flood control projects, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said flooding needs to be addressed holistically, stressing that engineering solutions are just part of it.
"Because of the climate change phenomenon, it has to be done holistically. We need to look at the environment and social aspects of the problem," he said.
The DPWH, Bonoan added, is aware that the flood control situation in the country has become worse because of climate change, adding that it is the reason they are now reviewing the parameters of existing engineering solutions.
"We are using, I think, a 25- to 30-year return period. We will adjust it to a 50-year return period to make it stronger. This is a big ticket engineering solution but this will take some time," he said.
He said, though, that the DPWH will implement the plan immediately.
"We have to address on a river basin approach because what we are actually undertaking are small flood control projects to provide immediate relief on low lying areas," he said. "It has to be addressed on a river basin approach so that it will be holistic."
As of 6 a.m. Thursday, Bonoan said, there were still 27 road sections in the Bicol Region that were unpassable even as he pointed out that there are many passable secondary roads and seven sections in the national road that were now passable to heavy vehicles.
He added that DPWH personnel were on standby in affected areas, particularly along the Maharlika Highway, considered as the lifeline road to the Bicol Region.
"We continue to monitor because Tropical Storm Kristine is still in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, particularly in Regions 1 and 2," Bonoan said. "As soon as floods in affected areas subside, our personnel can immediately work on the damaged roads and hopefully open them to traffic in the afternoon."
The DPWH-Bureau of Maintenance said the affected road sections that remain closed to traffic was down to 27 from 30.
The affected areas are road sections in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region and East Visayas.
The road closures have been caused by a variety of incidents, including soil collapse, flooding, road slips, fallen trees, collapsed detour roads, pavement failures, rockslides, landslides, and collapsed bridges.
In addition, seven road sections in the CAR, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas have limited access due to flooding or soil collapse.
Meanwhile, all national roads and bridges in other affected regions remain passable to all types of vehicles.
