Construction of dam, reforestation areas northeast of Metro Manila sought

MANILA, Philippines - Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo yesterday called for the construction of a dam and reforestation of areas northeast of Metro Manila as well as a unified action by local governments to prevent a repeat of the onslaught of tropical storm “Ondoy” in 2009.

Quimbo made the call as residents in Metro Manila and Rizal recalled Ondoy’s wrath that left nearly 500 people dead.

Marikina City was the hardest hit and registered the highest number of casualties.

“The resilience of Marikenyos made it possible for us to bounce back after Ondoy but we constantly live in fear of another Ondoy unless intermediate, comprehensive and effective strategies to address flooding in our city are adopted,” Quimbo said in a statement.

“It has been two years since Marikina was brought to its knees by Ondoy, and no major flood control project has yet been thought of or is in the drawing board to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy,” he said.

He recognized the move initiated by President Aquino, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino to rehabilitate the Nangka River System and two major creeks in his district.

But he called for a more comprehensive plan to address flooding in Marikina City and nearby cities and municipalities like Pasig, Antipolo, San Mateo, and Montalban, both in Rizal.

He said 90 percent of the floodwater that Marikina City catches comes from Antipolo and Montalban.

“Whatever diligence Marikenyos do in terms of waste segregation, cleanup and rehabilitation of our drainage and creek system, if our neighbors do not cooperate, we will continue to suffer,” Quimbo said.

He also called for the reforestation of the Marikina watershed, which straddles Antipolo City, Montalban and San Mateo.

“To make the watershed effective in preventing floods, at least 25 million trees need to be replanted considering that almost 80 percent of the 28,000 hectare watershed is already denuded. And it will probably take at least 10 years to do that,” he said.

Quimbo said putting up a dam in Montalban is the quickest solution to ensure that the destructive flooding two years ago will not happen again.