No quick fix for Malabon floods

The wet is getting wetter in Malabon City.

This is how city engineer Ulysses Tumbocon described the perennial flood problem of Metro Manila’s newest city.

"For the past 20 years, Malabon residents have been languishing in floods," Tumbocon told The STAR.

This, he said, despite efforts by the city government to unclog its canals and remove illegal structures obstructing the free flow of water in its waterways.

"And flooding is getting worse every year," Tumbocon said.

Last year, Malabon experienced high tide of 1.9 meters at its peak; but this year, sea level rises to more than two meters, affecting 17 of the city’s 21 barangays. During rainy days, the whole of Malabon is submerged; its low-lying barangays by up to three meters of water.

Tumbocon said Malabon’s low geographical location is one of the reasons why the city suffers from floods. Malabon is about a meter below sea level.

Another factor, according to Tumbocon, are the aging flood control facilities, especially pumping stations, and garbage which is indiscriminately thrown into esteros and canals.

Tumbocon blames the floods for the city’s slow development, which cause the city multi-million peso damage every year. But Tumbocon hopes that with the early implementation of the foreign-funded P3.5 billion mega flood control project, the flood problem will soon be alleviated.

In December, he said, the bidding for the project, which will cover the whole of Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area, will be opened.

Funded through a Japanese government grant, the mega flood control project aims to build giant floodgates, pumping stations, river walling, and navigational locks that will control the outgoing and incoming sea and floodwaters.

"By January, hopefully, the construction will commence," Tumbocon said. "In two years’ time, most of it will be put in place and within five years it will be completed." – Pete Laude