Cebu: Government agencies will be working together for the implementation of a flood mitigation program in the province of Cebu which experienced massive flooding due to Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon stated that they are looking to implement the flood control masterplan that was established during the previous administration. This plan aims to address the severe flooding issues exacerbated by Typhoon Tino, which claimed at least 232 lives, including 150 from Cebu, when it hit the Visayas last week.

Dizon emphasized the importance of consulting former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and other government agencies on the program. This move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for the immediate and proper execution of a flood mitigation project to prevent future flooding disasters in Cebu.

'We took the guidance of Sec. Babes (Singson) because he is more familiar with the masterplan from the previous administrations. Sec. Babes said: 'the plans are there, they just need to be implemented, but they are not being implemented correctly',' Dizon added in a statement Wednesday. The President specifically instructed Dizon to seek Singson's expertise for the accurate implementation of the flood control masterplan.

Dizon further clarified that there is no need to alter the existing masterplan since it already contains all the necessary steps and directions for its proper implementation. 'There is no need to plan, no need to study because [everything] is already in the plan,' he explained.

The DPWH will work in collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure the effective rollout of the project. The heads of these three agencies convened on Tuesday to discuss the implementation strategy.