DPWH hit for failure to prevent floods

Manila City Hall officials yesterday dared the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hand over to them the overseeing and managing of open waterways in the city if they cannot do the job.

"If they can't do it, let the city government take over and we will do a better job of cleaning them," City Hall Media Bureau chief Aster Aquino said.

The officials also sought to douse (flood) water on charges that unnamed officials with their eyes on the 2001 local elections would not dare demolish squatter shanties and lose votes.

"The statement is highly irresponsible. Trying to lay the blame on city officials is a cover for their failure in doing a good job. This is buck-passing," Aquino said.

DPWH officials yesterday blamed squatters encroaching on the city's esteros and open waterways for being the principal cause of floodings in the metropolis. Many of the slum dwellers have built their houses atop the esteros , clogging and obstructing the flow of water.

The allegation, attributed to unnamed DPWH officials which appeared in yesterday's issue, that "certain Manila officials are not keen about clearing the shanties along the Antipolo open canal... because elections are just around the corner" got the city hall spokesman's goat who promptly denied the allegation.

Taking a swipe at DPWH, Aquino countered by asking why it was only now that the agency is scrambling to clear the area of illegal settlers.

"The DPWH had all the time (during summer) to clear the waterways of all kinds of obstruction. Why is it they are moving only now with the rains and floods already upon us?" Aquino asked.

DPWH-NCR Director Salvador Pleyto, in an earlier interview, said his department has adequately prepared for the rainy season and has embarked on an intensified maintenance operation since January this year.

In a conversation with The STAR the other day while DPWH officials were inspecting declogging operations in major esteros in Manila, some officials expressed the opinion that if tradition in Philippine politics is to be a gauge, elective officials normally would not dare mess with the squatter issue in an election year or thereabouts.

As was stated in yesterday's story, Pleyto, when asked to comment on whose responsibility it was to clear the esteros of squatter shanties, made it clear that he is "neither picking a fight with nor blaming anyone at the local government level."

He added the flood problem can only be solved through a determined and unified effort by concerned government agencies and the communities affected, although he stressed that the local government unit is the lead agency in the relocation of displaced squatter families.

Assistant Regional Director Rafael Yabut warned the other day that the demolition of squatter shanties along the supposedly open Antipolo Canal in Blumentritt, Manila will be undertaken by the DPWH "even without a court order" because the structures were illegal.

"Pointing the finger at the DPWH would only be counterproductive and would not do anyone any good. The DPWH cannot do the job alone," Pleyto said.