‘Sagip Batis’ helps reduce QC floods

The "Sagip-Batis" program launched by Quezon City Mayor Feleciano Belmonte Jr. has contributed to a dramatic 86 per reduction of flooding in the city, according a report from the office of the city vice mayor said yesterday.

According to a report released by the office of Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista last Friday, flood-prone areas in Quezon City monitored during days of the heavy rains were reduced from 285 last year to only 39 areas.

In his report, Bautista credited the city’s anti-flood program, which included the massive clearing of waterways and drainage systems, jointly undertaken by the city government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The report said flood prone areas in District I totaled seven; District II, eight; District III, 13 and District IV, 11. The areas included major Quezon City thoroughfares such as Araneta, Commonwealth, Tandang Sora and Quezon Avenues.

While the MMDA is the main agency in charge of Metro Manila’s flood control program, Belmonte has seen the need to complement the effort by implementing the Sagip Batis program which cleared city rivers and creeks in the last two months.

The city government mobilized at least 1,000 volunteers to clear up the waterways in the city barangays.

One of the major river channels cleared was the San Juan River, which traverses several barangays toward Pasig River.

Sagip Batis volunteers, backed up by cranes and backhoes from the MMDA, were able to open up a clogged portion of the river under a bridge along E. Rodriguez Avenue. Residents in the area said the clogging had resulted in massive flooding in the previous years.

Other major waterways were also cleared before the rainy season.

The program was also aimed at preventing the outbreak of diseases caused by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant waters.

The dramatic reduction of flooding in Quezon City, according to residents, was the result of well-coordinated effort of the city government and the MMDA in carrying out their task.

Success down south Three areas in southern Metro Manila have taken pride in the success of their local government’s drainage and de-clogging programs that prevented major floodings despite the fury unleashed by tropical storm "Chedeng" in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon.

In a statement, the Muntinlupa City government said that contrary to previous experience, "the city now remains stable which is largely contributed by its comprehensive drainage plan being enforced by its engineering office."

Only four areas in four barangays in the city were reported to have experienced floodings.

There was no need for residents to be evacuated because the floods quickly subsided, according to the statement.

Being close to Laguna de Bay is a contributory factor in the city’s flooding problem.

In Pasay, City Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad said the city government spent P19 million for new drainage pipes in Malibay, a perennially flooded area.

"The project was successful. I received a lot of text messages from happy residents," Trinidad said.

Despite the heavy rainfall, the Maricaban creek also did not overflow. Last year, residents had to be evacuated because of the floods.

In Taguig, municipal information officer Ana Santos said the clearing of drainage systems, waterways, and canals have been a priority project of Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga since he was elected into office in 2001.

"Now we’ve seen the positive effects of the declogging of the drainages," Santos said.

Situated in a low-lying area, Taguig is one of the most perennially flooded areas in Metro Manila. Morever, it is right beside Laguna de Bay.

Tinga had said the town would face a major problem if the lake overflows.

A multi-billion megadike is currently under construction to solve Taguig’s flooding problem. It would be finished by 2005, Tinga said. — Perseus Echeminada, Nikko Dizon