The Department of Environment and Natural Resources urged government agencies, local governments, and communities to adopt science-based and nature-based approaches to address flooding, saying these solutions strengthen resilience and protect waterways.
In a statement Friday, the DENR said it works with local governments and partner agencies nationwide to develop long-term measures that safeguard communities.
The agency said flood management requires coordinated planning and data-driven interventions.
DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David warned that structures altering the natural flow of rivers may prevent flooding in one area but shift the hazard to other communities.
“Every time that you constrict, divert, block, or alter the natural course of a waterway or a river, for example, you are probably protecting the adjacent communities from flooding, but you’re simply translocating the problem elsewhere,” he said.
He added that water will continue to move despite barriers.
“The water will not disappear just because there’s a wall there. It will go down and in places where it’s low-lying, where there are no dikes, where people are living closer to the river, that is where the disaster will occur,” he said.
The DENR said it will continue promoting nature-based interventions and closer coordination with local governments to reduce risks and improve community preparedness.
