Makati blames floods on DPWH, MMDA

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) should immediately implement flood-mitigating measures especially on high-traffic national roads, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said yesterday.

Binay made the call after major intersections in the city were rendered impassable by flash floods following a downpour on Thursday.

“Many commuters had to wade through floods (at least two feet deep) when traffic came to a standstill in many parts of Makati and the metropolis. The national government must take drastic measures to spare long-suffering motorists from the bane of traffic gridlocks often occurring during heavy rains,” he said.

The mayor said the flood mitigation efforts of the city government are rendered futile when Osmeña Highway, Gil Puyat Avenue, and the EDSA-Magallanes and EDSA-Chino Roces Extension intersections become heavily flooded.

The engineering and public works department of Makati earlier reported that it had completed the repair and improvement of the city’s drainage system, including the installation of new concrete pipes in the barangays, particularly those that are low-lying and prone to floods.