‘Big improvement’ in NCR flood mitigation – MMDA

DPWH chief: Flooding can’t be solved overnight

MANILA, Philippines — Despite reports of flooding in areas across the National Capital Region, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the situation in the metropolis has seen “a big improvement” because of the government’s flood mitigation programs.

“Many areas that are usually deeply flooded did not experience severe flooding. Similarly, most roads in Metro Manila remained passable, except for some areas,” MMDA Chairman Don Artes said at a press conference yesterday.

He said the improvements were brought by the continuous waterway dredging under Oplan Kontra Baha, expanding the carrying capacities of the drains and easing the flow of rainwater.

The MMDA said all of its 73 pumping stations are currently operational. Artes added that they have deployed mobile pumps in Marikina and Manila, with another to be stationed at Magallanes.

“We recently acquired 11 mobile pumps, each capable of pumping 1.5 cubic meters of water per second, equivalent to the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool in 30 minutes,” he said.

However, Artes flagged severe flooding in Parañaque and Las Piñas due to the “overwhelmed” capacity of the waterways.

“It has been overwhelmed because our three upgraded pumping stations are also flowing in a certain area. The water could not flow immediately from the flooded low-lying areas,” Artes said.

In Las Piñas, Artes said about 14 booster pumps remain non-operational, prompting him to request restoration from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He also attributed the flooding in the city to the constructed roads.

“The river has reportedly narrowed due to the road constructed along its banks, slowing the flow of water. Additionally, during high tide, the water cannot drain out quickly,” the MMDA chairman said.

Addressing the waste clogging on waterways, Artes said the local governments under the Metro Manila Council have agreed to increase the penalty for improper waste disposal.

The MMDA also tasked 10,000 workers from the community-based emergency employment program TUPAD of the Department of Labor and Employment to assist in creek and drainage cleanup operations.

“There is a big improvement. Considering the fact that previously, several roads were submerged during heavy downpour, now the waters are only gutter deep. The Camanava area was not flooded that much,” he said.

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon cited the need to implement flood control projects properly to sustain the improvements in flood mitigation.

“We will have to go project per project, LGU (local government unit) per LGU, province per province – that is what we have to do and there is no overnight solution here. This problem on projects that were not built properly has been here for decades and this will take time but we have to (resolve it) continuously and we have to be consistent,” Dizon said.

Drainage master plan

To further address flooding in the region, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora called for a Metro Manila-wide drainage master plan, saying the drainage systems are interconnected and must be addressed through a unified plan involving all LGUs, the MMDA and the DPWH.

Zamora, who also heads the Metro Manila Council, said national agencies must coordinate closely with LGUs before undertaking flood control projects, as mayors know which areas need pumping stations, drainage improvements and other interventions.

“All mayors in Metro Manila are one in really ensuring that all current and future flood control-projects will be done properly. The funding must be utilized with all honesty and transparency,” he told ANC. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Alexis Romero, Rainier Allan Ronda