The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on Thursday underscored the role of reclamation in easing flooding, reducing congestion, and supporting long-term poverty alleviation, as it hosted a public briefing with coastal engineering experts from Singapore’s Surbana Jurong.
Speaking during the event held alongside a three-day international seminar, PRA Chairperson Alex Lopez said reclamation offers multiple development benefits, from providing safer and more organized resettlement sites to creating new economic zones that can relieve pressure on highly congested communities.
“As you all know, the President is very active in trying to solve our flood control. We are taking similar efforts to assist in our own little way at the Philippine Reclamation Authority,” Lopez said.
Lopez said immediate interventions must be complemented by long-term solutions such as easing population density in informal-settler areas and relocating affected families to sustainable and well-planned reclaimed sites.
“We are giving opportunities. We are opening up congestion in highly congested areas. We are removing the pressure on population density and giving them more opportunities,” he said.
The briefing also featured a 20-minute presentation by Surbana Jurong’s coastal engineering experts, who showcased Singapore’s effective and innovative flood management strategies.
Lopez said the insights from global partners are crucial as the Philippines intensifies efforts to strengthen its resilience against increasingly frequent climate and coastal hazards. (PNA)