03/31/2011 | 10:31 AM
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has created an Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC) to revise the master plan for flood management in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said this is necessary to reduce the vulnerability of Metro Manila and nearby areas to floods due to climate change.
"(IASC's) primary task is to conduct a risk assessment study for Metro Manila and surrounding basin area to support the preparation of a comprehensive flood risk management," the DPWH said in a news release.
"The IASC will also determine a set of priority structural and non-structural measures that will provide sustainable flood management up to a designated safety level," the DPWH added.
The IASC will conduct consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars to incorporate the concerns of stakeholders into the risk assessment.
The IASC has two steering committee levels: the High-Level IASC and the Technical-Level IASC.
While the high-Level IASC will oversee the preparation of master plan and provide policy direction, the Technical-Level IASC will act as oversight committee who will provide support and guidance on technical and administrative matters.
Composing the High-Level IASC are the heads of:
•DPWH;
•Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
•National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC);
•Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); * National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);
•Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA);
•Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA);
•Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA);
•Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC); and
•Representatives from the provincial governments of Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan.
Meanwhile, the Technical Level IASC is headed by DPWH Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina Cabral and co-chaired by DENR Assistant Secretary Analiza Rebuelta.
Its members include:
•Pia Corrina Reyes-NEDA;
•Director Ronald Flores-NDRRMC;
•Assistant General Manager Cristina Velasco-MMDA;
•Assistant General Manager Dolora Nepumoceno-LLDA;
•Director Nathaniel Servando-PAGASA;
•Director Alan Gatpolintan-PRRC;
•Director Resito David-DPWH Flood Control Office;
•Director Patrick Gatan-DPWH Flood Control Office;
•Director Reynaldo Tagudando-DPWH NCR;
•Director Alfredo Tolentino-DPWH Region III;
•Director Luis Mamitag-DPWH Region IV-A;
•Gertie Sison-Rizal Provincial Govenrment;
•Valentine Guidote-Laguna Provincial Government, and
•Arlene Pascual-Bulacan Provincial Government.