PHL gets $1.5-M WB grant for flood control infra

The World Bank gave the Philippines a $1.5-million (P66.82 million) grant to help government craft a master plan for flood control infrastructure in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. The multilateral lender said in a statement Wednesday the fund will "help reduce the vulnerability" of the National Capital Region and its neighboring areas from destructive floods in the long run. In 2009, the Philippines was devastated by massive floods caused by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng with damages totaling $4.4 billion or 2.7 percent of the gross domestic product, according to World Bank records. "Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng affected close to one million people. Preventing similar disasters entails reforms in key governance issues such as land use planning, housing, water management, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction," the World Bank said, attributing the comment to Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, for his part, said that the master plan for flood control infrastructure is necessary to "provide protection to life and property against floods." Metro Manila — which accounts for roughly 40 percent of the country's economy — hosts over 20 million residents, Singson said in the same statement. The master plan will include "policy, engineering, and financial decisions" to ensure that lines of accountability among agencies involved in flood management are clarified and adequate infrastructure are put in place, he said. "Equal attention will be given to non-structural measures such as community participation, catchment protection and reforestation, early warning, and emergency preparedness as an approach to flood management," Singson said. According to the multilateral lender, the master plan will be made within 13 months. World Bank country director Bert Hofman said the bank's support for the Metro Manila's flood master plan is an "important addition to [its] engagement in disaster risk reduction as well as climate change adaptation." — with Jesse Edep/VS, GMANews.TV