ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western Visayas has rolled out an intensified flood mitigation campaign ahead of the rainy season, launching “Oplan Kontra Baha” with large-scale clearing and desilting operations in critical waterways across Iloilo and nearby provinces.
The DPWH Regional Office 6 formally kicked off the program on April 27 at Rizal Creek in La Paz district here, in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Iloilo Chapter, the Iloilo City government, and other agencies, marking the start of a region-wide effort to prevent flooding in vulnerable communities.
Under “Oplan Kontra Baha,” authorities are conducting aggressive clearing and desilting operations to remove hardened silt, accumulated soil, and garbage clogging waterways — ensuring unimpeded water flow during heavy rains and reducing flood risks, particularly in low-lying areas.
The campaign immediately expanded beyond Iloilo City, with DPWH-6 personnel proceeding to the Batiano River in Oton, Iloilo on April 28, where clearing operations were carried out using an amphibious excavator, with active support from the local government of Oton.
DPWH-6 assured that the initiative will be sustained and expanded to other parts of Iloilo and Capiz throughout the year.
“Oplan Kontra Baha” is a flagship initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., implemented by DPWH under Secretary Vivencio Dizon, aimed at strengthening flood defenses through systematic declogging and desilting of waterways and drainage systems.
The program builds on last year’s multi-sectoral campaign launched in Metro Manila, which targeted clogged and polluted waterways to mitigate flash floods during intense rainfall.
The President, who led the initial launch at Balihatar Creek in Parañaque City recently, cited scientific estimates showing that restoring waterways to full capacity could reduce flash flooding in Metro Manila by up to 60 percent.
“I am very optimistic that once we get the majority of this done, maramdaman na kaagad natin na pagdating ulit ng tag-ulan, malaki na ‘yung mababawasan sa flooding,” the President said.
The nationwide campaign involves a multi-agency partnership led by DPWH and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), alongside local governments and private sector stakeholders.
In Metro Manila alone, the initiative covers 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros, and 333.15 kilometers of drainage systems, with the goal of minimizing flooding in high-risk urban zones during the typhoon season.
During inspections, Marcos emphasized that siltation and waste buildup remain major contributors to recurring floods.
“We will continue to do this first part of the Oplan, mga nine months ito. Hindi namin titigilan,” the President said. “Even after that nine months ay patuloy lang, regular na ang paglinis, pag-desilt, paglinis ng basura, lahat ito ay patuloy nating gagawin. Hindi natin puwedeng tigilan dahil alam naman natin umiipon pa.”
He also flagged poorly positioned pumping stations as a critical issue.
“Ang isa pang nakita nating problema ay ang paglagay ng mga pumping station na mali. Marami sa mga pumping stations natin mula ng itinayo ay hindi pa gumana kahit minsan,” the President said.
“Bakit? Dahil ‘yung pumping station mismo sa paglagay nila ‘yun pa ang nakaharang sa tubig. Imbes na magbigay ng solusyon, ito pa ang naging problema,” he added.
Marcos said the program will be expanded to other flood-prone areas nationwide, including Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.
“It’s the beginning of a very wide-ranging program to at least partially solve the problem of flooding especially in the urban areas, especially in Metro Manila and the other highly urbanized cities and provinces,” the President said.
“Kaya this is going to be a simple solution but it will take a lot of work. And mabuti na lang ay marami tayong mga willing na tumutulong.” (With a report from the Presidential Communications Office)/PN
