Artificial flooding in Parañaque probed

MANILA, Philippines — Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez yesterday ordered an investigation into reports that tricycle and pedicab drivers and operators deliberately clogged drainage pipes to create artificial floods during heavy rains last Tuesday.

Residents of slum areas near Gatchalian Subdivision in Barangay San Dionisio allegedly used garbage and other debris to stop up drains. The tricycle and pedicab drivers then reportedly charged commuters P50 to P200 to cross flooded streets.

Members of a disaster response team discovered the clogged drainage pipes.

Olivarez warned that a tricycle or pedicab driver or operator caught clogging drainage pipes face the cancellation of their franchise to operate.