Iloilo: The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) is considering organizing a region-wide summit to develop an integrated solution to the persistent flooding issues in Western Visayas. In a recent interview, Civil Defense and RDRRMC chair Raul Fernandez shared that this initiative emerged during visits to areas where local government units have proposed floodwalls and seawalls.

According to Philippines News Agency, Fernandez highlighted that while these projects are often capital-intensive, they might not offer long-lasting solutions. “What we learn is we can adopt an integrated solution, not just an engineering intervention. We can integrate nature-based solutions and technology. We are eyeing a ridge-to-reef solution,” Fernandez stated, emphasizing the need to protect highlands to prevent landslides and flooding. For coastal areas, he suggested supplementing seawalls with natural barriers like mangroves.

Fernandez also mentioned an upcoming planning meeting to discuss the feasibility of the summit. “We are going to sit down and initially plan for it, if our timeline can accommodate it until the end of the year. This is the time to hype up because of what is happening now,” he said.

Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) officer Cornelio Salinas brought up the summit proposal during the third-quarter full council meeting of the RDRRMC. Salinas expressed hope that the summit could result in a comprehensive master plan for flood control, ensuring that all projects are interconnected. He pointed to ongoing flood control projects in areas like Jaro, La Paz, and the municipality of Pavia as examples.

Salinas further asserted that establishing flood control projects is essential, not merely a ‘whimsical’ endeavor. He noted that Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. supports the summit and aims to assess the necessity of flood control projects in central and northern Iloilo.