DAP projects lowered flood levels – DPWH

MANILA, Philippines - Floodwaters during Typhoon Glenda were lower in some parts of Metro Manila due to the P5-billion flood control projects funded by the government’s  Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday.

“We have witnessed the positive effects of these flood control projects during the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda. Although some parts of Metro Manila have been inundated, the water level was not as high as the usual floods experienced before,” DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a statement.

With the projects beginning to bear fruit, the DPWH chief said he is not inclined to put their flood control program on hold.

He denied earlier reports that the DPWH suspended the projects after the Supreme Court declared DAP as unconstitutional.

Among the projects included in the DPWH’s flood management master plan for Metro Manila are two projects on the Manila Bay seawall costing P211.05 million; six projects in Nangka River in Marikina, P222 million; Marikina River dredging, P50 million; Manggahan Floodway dredging, P100 million; the restoration of Marikina River’s damaged slope, rehabilitation of Tullahan River and the repair of the Napindan River revetment wall, P113 million.

QC eyes underground power lines

Amid a widespread power outage following Glenda’s onslaught, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista said the city should look into the possibility of putting the electricity cables underground.

In a statement yesterday, Bautista said he will ask the city council to enact a measure that would require the power sector to use underground cables to minimize power outages during stormy weather.

Bautista admitted that his proposal would require a huge investment, but said he is hoping that a five to 10-year development plan will be created as soon as possible.

Pasay cites social media

Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto said yesterday no resident died or was injured during the onslaught of Glenda because it used its Twitter and Facebook accounts for the real-time delivery of public advisories and early warnings of rising floodwaters.

City administrator Dennis Acorda said the city government also maximized the use of text message blasting to disseminate information. He said there are now 1,583 subscribers of the text message blasts.

“Everyone is encouraged to subscribe to the Text Blast, which is open to everyone, even ordinary citizens who are Smart and Talk ‘n Text users. Personal numbers are given to the (city government’s information and communications technology office) and will be included in the text blasting at no charge,” he said. – Evelyn Macairan, Janvic Mateo, Mike Frialde