Marcos: Bicol River Basin project to begin early 2025

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that work on the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) would begin in the first quarter of 2025.

Marcos said this during his visit in Camarines Sur wherein he led the distribution of assistance for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

''Hulyo nitong taon ay nakompleto na ng Department of Public Works and Highways ang updating, ang pagbabago ng masterplan at feasibility study ng Bicol River Basin upang gawin itong akma sa mga hamon ng pagbabago ng klima natin,'' Marcos said.

''Sa kasalukuyan ay inaayos na ang detailed engineering design na inaasahang masimulan sa first quarter ng susunod na taon, next year. Pagpasok ng new year, ng 2025 ay masisimulan na natin itong ating mga ginawang plano para di na ganito kalala ang pagbaha sa Bicol River Basin,'' he added. 

Marcos also tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure that their plan as regards the BRBDP would be ''integrated and future proof.''

Last month, Marcos said he plans to revisit the BRBDP, a project of his late father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, following the devastation brought by Kristine in the Bicol Region.

According to the DPWH, the preliminary estimated cost of the project is around P75 billion.

Calamity victims

Meanwhile, Marcos also said the Office of the President (OP) has allocated P50 million for calamity victims, which will be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Of the 5,000 beneficiaries, 600 each are from the municipalities of Minalabac and Nabua; 500 each from Milaor and Bula; 450 from San Fernando; 400 each from Gainza and Baao; 350 from Canaman; 250 each from Libmanan and Camaligan; and 200 each from Calabanga and Pili.

Financial assistance will also be extended to 100 residents each from the municipalities of Pamplona, Bombon and Magarao.

The President also directed the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that the Quick Response Fund could be utilized by concerned agencies. 

—VAL, GMA Integrated News