The construction of dams in major river basins could provide a long-term solution to flooding in the country, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Eduardo Guillen said on Thursday, August 13.
In a DZRH's Dos Por Dos interview, Guillen proposed building dams upstream of rivers, particularly across the country’s 18 major river basins, to help manage water flow and reduce the impact of flooding.
“Madali lang po ‘yan. Ito pong pagtatayo natin dapat ng mga dams upstream ng ating mga ilog o yung 18 major river basins. Sana malagyan natin lahat ng mga dams ’yan,” Guillen said.
He said such infrastructure projects would not only help address flooding but also provide other benefits, including supporting food production and increasing power generation.
“Malaking ginhawa po para sa atin, hindi lamang po sa baha kundi po para sa pagkain at power generation po,” he added.
Guillen’s proposal comes as several areas in the country continue to experience flooding due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.
Watch the full interview below.
