CITY OF MALOLOS—This flood-prone capital of Bulacan gets Netherlands flood-control expertise through a P12 million (€200,000) worth Dutch government first nature-based solution flood mitigation grant project in the country.
Mayor Christian Natividad said here on Tuesday that the Dutch government’s grant shoulders the feasibility study and the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the project while the city government allots P100 million for the actual flood-control facilities and structures.
Speaking as guest of honor and speaker in the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation meeting held at Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center nearly three weeks ago, Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts said the grant, through a partnership with the city government of Malolos will address flooding and lessen the destructive effect of storm surges through sustainable management and use of natural features inherent to the coastal areas of the city and the Netherlands way.
Nature-based solutions, she explained, is a flood control process and at the same time helps prevent storm surge through the use of natural resources in the area that is most applicable and suited.
Because nature-based solutions use available materials, she said, it does not leave a big impact on biodiversity unlike cemented walls or breakwaters.
In the coastal villages of Pamarawan, Panasahan and Bagna, sediment trapping is the most applicable process, says Franco Rebarter, Senior Policy Officer at the Dutch Embassy in the Philippines. Sediments coming from Manila Bay and other river tributaries, he said, will be trapped using bamboo and mangroves.
According to Rebarter, the feasibility study has just been completed last year and the DED will be done in a few months. From there, he said, the city government will proceed with the construction of nature-based solution anti-flooding structures. “The target completion of the DED is by the middle of this year. After that, it will be submitted to the local government of Malolos for actual realization,” he told NEWS CORE in a text message reply.
Geraedts recognized the initiative of Natividad including former Hagonoy town Mayor Angel Cruz who used to live in Netherlands and also through a memorandum of agreement with the Alyansa ng mga Baybaying Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga in seeking the help of the Dutch government to put an end to the decades of flooding problem in the coastal areas of Bulacan, one of which is the capital, City of Malolos, including Hagonoy, Paombong, Bulakan and Obando towns.
“Flooding in Bulacan could just be a thing of the past,” she said during the meeting which gave high hopes and inspiration to Bulakenyos then represented by Vice Gov. Alexis Castro.
She said they have already identified the pilot sites and coastal barangays of Pamarawan, Panasahan and Bagna and there had been comprehensive assessments made on the sites. She added that they have also already Informed the people and have gathered the sentiments of the community.
The Ambassador said the Malolos flood control project was in line with the national government’s 2019 programs and works to rehabilitate Manila Bay through inputs from Dutch experts by creating a comprehensive and sustainable master plan for the Manila Bay and the immediate coastal zones.
“This contains frameworks backed by scientific research from multi consultation that details on how to coordinate the redevelopment of the bay and the possibilities and potentials, limitations, precautionary measures, and standards necessary, guidelines and recommendations on how private investor’s investment should contribute financially, technically and structurally to the agreed development goals and much more for an Inclusive growth as an integral, sustainable plan that would benefit the more than 25 million inhabitants around the bay. The master plan is recognized by the country and is being used for relevant purposes by different Philippine government institutions,” the Ambassador also said in her speech.
Water as Netherlands expertise
The Ambassador also said that water management, water supply and water protection is one of their country’s expertise.
She said that Netherlands and Bulacan geographically have a lot of things in common because people living in the Netherlands are surrounded by water in the Delta region much like the south-western hub of Bulacan.
“Because of these features, Dutch people suffered the consequences of flooding for centuries as a result, we have become an expert in keeping the water out and making the most of topography. Our long coastlines have somewhat become both a blessing and a curse. We can safely assume of the Netherlands assistance to the Philippines when it comes to these programs,” she said.
Castro thanked the Ambassador and the Dutch government for its expertise and knowledge inputs to help address the perennial flooding in the province which has been there for decades now.
Castro also thanked the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation under the current leadership of Gladys Sta. Rita, former president of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and founding chair, former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena not only in promoting the rich culture and heritage of Bulacan but also for being a staunch partner of the provincial government in the strengthening the province economy and trade.
The Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation is an organization of all the Dangal ng Lipi awardees, (outstanding sons and daughters of Bulacan) from all endeavors and fields who joined together to help Bulacan further reach its biggest potentials in terms of economic investments and businesses, environmental protection and culture and heritage preservation.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Teresa Lazaro from Bulakan town is also a member of the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation.
