High tide delays return of evacuees to homes

Despite improved weather conditions yesterday, at least 537 families in flood-prone barangays in Malabon and Valenzuela remained at evacuation centers as their houses continued to be submerged folowing a 1.9-meter high tide.

Valenzuela social welfare officer Jovy Sullano said eight barangays — Arkong Bato, Balangkas, Malinta, Palasan, Pasolo, Pariancillo Villa, Tagalag, and Veinte Reales — were still flooded because of the rising sea level.

"We are hoping that once water recedes, the evacuees can safely return to their houses," Sullano said.

She said a total of 274 flood-affected families spread in 14 evacuation centers in the city are being attended to by the local government, led by Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian.

High tide today is expected to reach 1.8 meters.

In Malabon City, 263 families remained at evacuation centers as at least five barangays — Panghulo, Tinajeros, Catmon, Dampalit, and Longos — were still flooded.

Of the five barangays, Catmon has the biggest number of evacuees with 180 families, followed by Dampalit (35), Panghulo (22), Longos (15), and Tinajeros (11), according to Ronnie Gumatay of the local public information office.

Mayor Canuto Oreta ordered the city disaster office and the local social welfare department yesterday to continue providing assistance to evacuees until floodwater subsides to normal levels.

Ronnel Gonzales of the Navotas public information office said the water level in their locality receded yesterday despite the high tide.

"We have no evacuees and are expecting that things would be back to normal tomorrow with fair weather conditions," he said.

Caloocan City, like Navotas, also has no evacuees and experienced no major flooding.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri has directed the city engineering office for the immediate declogging of canals and waterways in the city.

DPWH tackles floods

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has set up contingency measures to minimize perennial flooding at the northern part of Metro Manila as it continues to expedite the completion of the P3.479-billion flood control project in the area.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. tapped his men working on the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) Flood Control and Drainage Systems Improvement Project to temporarily use sandbags and other remedial measures "to minimize flooding in case of another breach in the old dike."

Ebdane issued this order after a portion of the dike in Longos, Malabon collapsed last July 12 at the peak of heavy rains brought about by typhoon Florita. The collapse, which took place during a high tide, aggravated flooding in the area.

He likewise directed field personnel, led by project director Carla Bartolo, to conduct a round-the-clock monitoring of the old dike during typhoons and high tides.

"We have to ensure the safety of residents not only in the city, but in neighboring and affected areas as well," Ebdane said.

The Camanava flood control project, now 58 percent complete, covers 18.50 sq. kms of flood-prone areas in the cities of Caloocan and Malabon and the municipality of Navotas in Metro Manila.

Under the project, the feasibility study of the Valenzuela area, together with Obando and Meycauayan areas, will be undertaken under a separate drainage sector. – With Edu Punay