President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed all concerned government agencies to prioritize the quality, safety, and durability of materials used for infrastructure projects.

Marcos gave the directive to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other relevant agencies, as he stressed the need to pursue climate and disaster resilient infrastructure that could withstand natural calamities.

“Alam nating palakas nang palakas ang mga bagyo at palaki nang palaki ang pinsalang iniiwan nito. Kaya naman, ipinapatupad na natin ang mga makabagong disenyo para sa ating mga kalsada, para sa ating mga tulay (We know that typhoons are getting stronger and the damage they leave behind is getting bigger and bigger. That’s why we are implementing modern designs for our roads and bridges),” Marcos said during his visit to Legazpi City in Albay.

“Sa DPWH, DOTr, DTI, at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan, tiyakin ninyong de-kalidad, ligtas, at matibay ang mga materyales na gagamitin sa pagpapatayo ng mga imprastraktura natin. Sa gayon, magtatagal at maaasahan ito anuman ang panahon (To the DPWH, DOTr, DTI, and other government agencies, make sure that the materials that will be used in the construction of our infrastructures are of high quality, safe, and durable. Thus, it will last and will be durable regardless of the weather),” he added.

Considering the increasing frequency and intensity of typhoons, Marcos sought the adoption of new designs for roads and bridges.

Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s preparedness for calamities, stressing its commitment to expanding and enhancing all measures to intensify efforts against the potential impacts of climate change.

“Sa bawat ahensya ng pamahalaan, paigtingin ninyo lalo ang inyong pagsusumikap nang sa gayon ay higit nating mapaghandaan ang mga posibleng epekto ng pagbabago ng klima (To every government agency, step up your efforts so that we can better prepare for the possible effects of climate change),” Marcos said.

“Hindi tayo magpapatinag sa mga trahedyang ito; bagkus, palalawigin pa natin ang ating paghahanda at bibilisan ang ating pagkilos upang mapigilan ang pag-ulit ng ganitong epekto ng mga kalamidad (We will not be swayed by these tragedies; rather, we will extend our preparations and speed up our action to prevent the recurrence of this effect of calamities).”

Marcos also reiterated his directive to the DPWH to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program, as the detailed engineering design for the program is expected to begin in 2025.

Marcos sought the public cooperation to make sure that no one is left behind.

“Kaya’t sa pagkakataong ito, hinihikayat ko ang bawat ahensya ng pamahalaan at ang bawat Pilipino: Magtulungan tayo upang matiyak na walang maiiwan sa ating laban kontra sa mga hamong dulot ng pagbabago ng klima (So this time, I am encouraging every government agency and every Filipino: Let us work together to ensure that no one is left behind in our fight against the challenges caused by climate change),” he said. (PNA)