Dad pushes Valenzuela-Bulacan flood control project

MANILA, Philippines - Valenzuela City councilor and local Liga ng mga Barangay president Alvin Feliciano appealed yesterday to concerned government agencies for the immediate construction of the Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan (VOM) flood control project to mitigate flood problems in the city.

He said the VOM flood control project is the best solution to the perennial flooding in Valenzuela and some low-lying areas in Bulacan province.

Feliciano said his office is now coordinating with Bulacan local officials whose villages would benefit from the project.

He said he has talked to some officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) about the project.

“Valenzuela residents have long been requesting for the construction of VOM flood control project seen as the ultimate solution to their flood woes,” Feliciano said.

He said the national government did not include Valenzuela City in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) mega flood control project, noting that only a small portion of Valenzuela near the Tullahan River would gain from the project. He added that the project would have “very little” effect on the entire city’s flood problem.  

The Camanava flood control project, which completion date was moved several times, is expected to be finished within this year.

The DPWH is the lead government agency for the project but its control and operation would be turned over to the MMDA once its construction is complete.

Feliciano hopes his appeal and that of the Bulacan residents for the construction of the VOM flood control would be “given attention” by the DPWH and the MMDA.

He said local government efforts, spearheaded by Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and Rep. Rex Gatchalian, in putting up flood control projects in the city are not enough without the support from the national government. – Pete Laude