Mandaluyong drainage project causes floods; gov’t asks DPWH

MANILA, Philippines - The Mandaluyong City government is demanding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to provide a detailed plan on the Maysilo drainage project which has left a portion of the Maysilo Circle flooded.

In a letter to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson dated Jan. 29, 2016, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. expressed the city’s “incrementing collective concerns” over the project.

Abalos said the Mandaluyong City government is heaping criticism over social media on the apparent slow pace of the project when in fact, the anti-flood project is being handled by the DPWH.

“The flooding gets worse with each passing day. After a more than a couple of years already, the people of Mandaluyong expect to see and experience a certain level of ease and reassurance to say the least. The affected major roads have long been rendered useless and impassable – traffic has gone unbearable,” said Mayor Abalos in his letter.

Abalos added that the flooding has also forced several business establishments located around the Maysilo Circle to close down.

“Many business establishments have already shut down due to record-low sales as few more plan to do the same. The perils of the stagnant water becoming the breeding ground for life threatening diseases have immediately contributed to the rise of dengue patients in our local hospitals with the direct impact on our children. We need not enumerate and expound on this matter any further as it is obvious,” wrote Abalos.

Abalos has asked Singson to give the Manadaluyong City government a detailed plan of the project to include its present phase of completion and the timetable indicating when the project will be finished. The information given by the DPWH will then be relayed to the public by the city government through a public notice.

“This somehow will equip us in addressing certain issues and would not keep us groping for answers in the dark,” he said.