Bicol River basin project to begin next year

President Marcos  said  work on the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) would begin in the first quarter of 2025.

Marcos also distributed assistance for those affected by STS Kristine.

“Hulyo nitong taon ay nakompleto na ng Department of Public Works and Highways ang updating, ang pagbabago ng masterplan at feasibility study ng Bicol River Basin upang gawin itong akma sa mga hamon ng pagbbago ng klima natin,” said Marcos during his visit to Camarines Sur last week, 

He added, “Sa kasalukuyan ay inaayos na ang detailed engineering design na inaasahang masimulan sa first quarter ng susunod na taon, next year.  Pagpasok ng new year, ng 2025, ay masisimulan na natn itong ating mga ginawang plano para di na ganito kalala an gpagbaha sa Bicol River Basin”.

Marcos tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure that their plan as regards the BRBDP would be “integrated and future proof.”

Last month, Marcos said he plans to revisit the BRBDP, a project of his late father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, following the devastation brought by Kristine in the  Bicol Region.

Marcos also said the Office of the President (OP) has allocated P50 million for calamity victims, which will be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The President also directed the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that the Quick Response Fund could be utilized by concerned agencies.