Philippines to invest $784 million in flood protection

MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines is to spend about S$629 million (S$783.6 million) this year on projects aimed at boosting its defences against deadly floods, a government agency said on Tuesday.

The move follows last month's heavy rains, which submerged large areas of the main island of Luzon including about 80 per cent of Manila, killing at least 99 people and forcing about half a million people to flee their homes.

The National Economic and Development Authority said the total includes 6.87 billion pesos (S$204 million) to build and strengthen dikes, dredge rivers, as well as buy pumps to ensure a flood-free Manila, the sprawling capital city of 15 million people.

"This will... finance immediate high-impact flood control interventions," the agency said in a statement.