MMDA: P1.1-billion flood warning system obsolete

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday maintained that the P1.1-billion flood warning system procured using a Japanese loan was already “obsolete,” hence useless against the wrath of storm “Ondoy.”

“These were grants from Japan during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. (The system is) already obsolete. What everybody should do now is return first to normalcy before technical matters are considered,” Fernando said in reaction to what he called a “sweeping allegation” that the rampaging floods that killed hundreds were not mitigated because of the MMDA’s neglect.

Newsbreak earlier reported that the idle, billion-peso flood warning system could have minimized the flooding in the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna Lake complex.

Quoting sources who requested anonymity, Newsbreak said Fernando let the equipment suffer wear and tear, thinking the maintenance cost outweighs the benefits.

The flood warning system in Metro Manila was procured through the Effective Flood Control Operation System (EFCOS) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The project was supposed to control flooding in the Marikina-Laguna Lake complex by alerting authorities if there is a need to divert water from the Rosario Weir into the Laguna Lake for temporary storage or into the Manggahan floodway, which was designed to mitigate flooding from the lower Marikina and Pasig rivers.

The first phase of the project, completed in 1992, was financed through a Japanese loan worth P600 million.

The second phase, completed in 2001, was funded through a P500 million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Flood control was later transferred to MMDA.

Fernando said he is replacing six flood warning devices located in Montalban and Angono Rizal; Fort Santiago, Manila; Manggahan floodway; Marikina; and Napindan, Pasig.