Floods in Metro areas to stay until 2004

Despite the various drainage repairs being undertaken this summer, residents of certain parts of Manila, Mandaluyong, and Parañaque, and the northern portions of Metro Manila will have no respite from recurrent flooding, at least in the next four years.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said at least 15-percent of the metropolis is still considered low-lying and are not equipped with pumping stations despite numerous infrastructures to solve the flooding problem.

"Many parts of Metro Manila will still experience flooding and it will take us four years to complete all flood-control projects," said DPWH National Capital Region director Salvador Pleyto.

DPWH studies show that out of the 63,000-hectare Metro Manila, 13,000 hectares remain low-lying. Pleyto, however, could not immediately specify the affected places in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) Mandaluyong and Parañaque areas.

Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Simeon Datumanong called on the public to refrain from disposing of their garbage in and around gutters and sewers as it would block the free passage of water and subsequently cause flooding.

Datumanong said that the department is pouring in P208 million for the repair and maintenance of existing sewerage in Metro Manila or a total of P1.8 billion all over the country including foreign funds. – Jose Aravilla