News Roundup 07 September 2023
Sep 07, 2023 • 4 min Read
More infrastructure to prevent flooding? DPWH says ‘engineering’ part of solution | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Flood control may again be getting one of the largest shares in the proposed Department of Public Works and Highways 2024 budget, but House lawmakers on Thursday appeared unconvinced that pouring more money into infrastructure could solve flooding.
Makabayan lawmakers Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist) Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers) pointed out that past flood control and management initiatives remain inefficient as several areas have even become more prone to flooding in recent years.
For 2024, a whopping P215.643 billion has been allocated for flood mitigation facilities. This is a nearly 20% increase from 2023 (P182 billion) and represents more than a quarter of the proposed 2024 budget for the DPWH (P822 billion).
“We are boasting that this is climate change expenditure, but it seems like we are just using it to bloat the figures we report internationally,” Manuel said in a mix of English and Filipino.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed his officials to look for “permanent instructions” to flooding, one of which includes the construction of more water-impounding facilities.
The DPWH chief added that the department is also looking into impounding areas in river basins, reservoirs, flood control and water supply as possible long-term solutions to flooding.
“All these things are being laid out now for implementation. There are 18 major river basins in the country and there are many projects (ongoing) for flood control,” Bonoan said.
During Castor’s interpellation, she asked Bonoan whether past flood projects can be considered “a success.” In response, Bonoan said that there are several factors affecting flood control, with the phenomenon of climate change posing “a big challenge.”
“Our job is on the engineering part, but other components have to be considered for a holistic view of flood control. The engineering part will certainly do something to mitigate the problem of flooding, but there should be more. We should look at the environmental and social issues,” Bonoan added.
Full Story at: More infrastructure to prevent flooding? DPWH says ‘engineering’ part of solution | Philstar.com
PNP seeks Interpol help in Teves manhunt | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has sought the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in the manhunt for expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. after a Manila court issued a warrant of arrest against him.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 15 has ordered the arrest of Teves and his co-accused in connection with the murder of governor Roel Degamo and nine others last March.
As Teves is hiding abroad, it is imperative that the PNP informs the Interpol of developments on Teves’ case, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said.
Full Story at: PNP seeks Interpol help in Teves manhunt | Philstar.com
Bongbong Marcos, US VP Harris talk about South China Sea | INQUIRER.NET – JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and United States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris met on the sidelines of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, said Palace on Thursday.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a pull-aside meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris after the ASEAN-US Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a social media post.
Both leaders agreed to work together and with ASEAN members to foster trade and promote regional peace and progress,” it added.
While Palace did not further specify the details of the meeting, its US counterpart said the two leaders spoke about maritime security.
Full Story at: Bongbong Marcos, US VP Harris talk about South China Sea | Inquirer News
6 alleged NPA fighters killed in Bohol clash | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Six alleged fighters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of armed encounters in a Bohol town on Thursday morning, the Philippine Army said.
The 47th Infantry Battalion figured in a firefight with members of NPA’s Bohol Party Committee at around 7:35 am in Bilar town’s Barangay Campagao, according to the Army.
Responding to a report from the locals, the government troops engaged with the Maoist rebels in six successive encounters for more than three hours, according to the Army.
Full Story at: 6 alleged NPA fighters killed in Bohol clash | Inquirer News
