DPWH removes plants, settlers clogging Napindan channel

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) removed Wednesday afternoon water lilies and informal settlers that contributed to clogging up the Napindan channel, which connects Laguna Lake and the Manila Bay.

DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) director Edilberto Tayao said yesterday that “right after typhoon ‘Ondoy’ on Sept. 26, (water flow) along Napindan channel was only 50 percent, but when majority of the obstructions have been removed, the flow of water improved to 80 percent.”

The illegal settlers, numbering about 70 families, who still reside along Taytay, Rizal section of Napindan channel, make up the remaining 20 percent obstruction. A portion of the waterway also sits in the area of Taguig City.

DPWH Undersecretary for Luzon Romeo Momo said that the Napindan channel is the conduit between the Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay.

The presence of obstructions impede the flow of water from Laguna de Bay to the Napindan channel in Taytay and Taguig, thus causing floodwaters to remain high. Among those affected are the residents of Mabuhay City Subdivision in Cabuyao, Laguna, who have been wading through two feet of water after several days of continuous rain.

The normal water level at the Laguna Lake is 10.5 meters, but as of 11 a.m. yesterday, the level is 13.7 meters or 3.2 meters above its limit.

DPWH Region 4-A regional director Bonifacio Seguit said that they have been working 24 hours a day since Sunday to clear the Napindan channel, which has become heavily silted and filled with water lilies over the years because of neglect.

Tayao said they removed a patch of water lilies measuring 200 meters by 300 meters, and it was strong enough for settlers to build shanties over it.

Seguit said “actually, there remain patches of water lilies floating on the (channel) but these could easily be removed because the base has already weakened and they just go along with the water current.”

Apart from the cleaning up of the clogged and heavily silted river, the DPWH was also tasked to assist in the relocation of the 70 families living near the Taytay section of the Napindan River.

Acting Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo said they are willing to coordinate with the local government officials and the concerned national government agencies such as the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to relocate the illegal settlers.

With the limited time that they have, before President Arroyo ends her term in June next year, they might only be able to come up with a relocation plan for the affected families, but it would be up to the next administration to implement their transfer.

Domingo believes that since there is an election slated next year, some local officials might hesitate to boot out their potential voters. “The national government has to come in to assist if they (local governments) do not have the political will,” he said.