MMDA, Metro mayors sign 'estero declaration'

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the 17 local executives of Metro Manila yesterday signed an “estero declaration” in which they vowed to join a concerted effort to clean the metropolis’ waterways and solve the flooding problem.

“We acknowledge our collective responsibility to advance and strengthen sustainable development – economic development, social development and environmental protection – at the local and regional levels. We declare our responsibility to one another, to our fellow citizens residing, traversing and earning their living within Metropolitan Manila, to the greater community and to our descendants,” a portion of the “estero declaration” read.

In signing the declaration, the MMDA and the 17 local executive s also identified the following as areas prone to flooding: Sampaloc, Manila and its immediate vicinity; the corner of Rizal Avenue and R. Papa street; South Superhighway - Buendia and its vicinity; Maysilo Circle - Boni Avenue and its vicinity; Shaw Boulevard, Kalentong street and nearby streets; Barangay Salapan and Balong Bato, San Juan City; Barangays Dona Imelda, Damayong Lagi, Tatalon and Talayan, Quezon City; Pasig-Marikina River Basin; and the Laguna Lakeshore Area.

In the declaration, the local executives and the MMDA said the factors that contribute to flooding are: the low efficiency of existing pumping stations, the continued presence of informal settlers along the esteros, the limited capacity of existing esteros, diversion channels, creeks and other waterways, inadequate drainage systems, and overflowing rivers.

The declaration likewise identified the seven major causes of flooding: rapid urbanization and development, rapid clogging and siltation of drainage laterals and waterways, encroachment in open waterways, limited capacity of existing drainage systems, lack of integrated land use plans, inadequate flood control structures and excessive rainfall intensity due to climate change.

The mayors pledged they would ensure that homes and establishments would have proper wastewater treatment facilities or hygienic septic tanks “to prevent industrial wastes, sewage water, and human wastes from flowing into these rivers, waterways, esteros and the Manila Bay.”

They also promised to “actively implement our respective anti-littering ordinances as well as to clean and dredge the esteros, creeks and waterways located within our respective jurisdictions as immediate and short-term measures to combat the effects of environmental degradation.”

In addition, the local government units also pledged to help the MMDA “humanely” relocate informal settlers along the esteros in coordination with concerned national governmental housing agencies.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the “estero declaration” signals the start of a stronger and more meaningful partnership between the MMDA and the metro’s local chief executives in their campaign to control environmental pollution and prevent the recurrence of flooding.