Oplan Kontra Baha: Bicol Region

The national government recently reviewed the progress of Oplan Kontra Baha, a major flood mitigation initiative currently focused on Sagop Creek in Naga City’s Triangulo village. This program is designed to provide quick, on-the-ground solutions to help manage rising water levels in the area and protect local communities.

To keep the water flowing safely, teams are busy declogging drainage canals, removing structures that block the natural path of waterways, and dredging riverbeds. These efforts also include repairing pumping stations and maintaining flood control barriers while keeping crews and heavy equipment ready in high risk zones.

There is a clear understanding that while these steps are vital, a lot more work lies ahead as climate change continues to cause unpredictable weather. Naga City was chosen as a primary focus area because it is particularly prone to flooding within the Bicol River Basin, making consistent and focused maintenance a top priority.

The current work centers on a 10 kilometer stretch of Sagop Creek, a critical waterway that local officials monitor closely. This channel runs through five highly vulnerable neighborhoods, including Del Rosario, Concepcion Grande, Concepcion Pequeña, Triangulo, and Tabuco.

As of February 20, initial cleanup and desilting efforts successfully cleared 2,350 cubic meters of waste, silt, and overgrown vegetation. This work targeted priority areas such as the Bicol River Esplanade and Milaor Creek along the Maharlika Highway. These operations are essential for restoring the natural capacity of the drainage systems. Similar cleanup projects have already been completed in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod, with future efforts planned for Laguna, Iloilo City, and Cagayan de Oro.

READ MORE > https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269494