30 Navotas families evacuated

MANILA, Philippines — Over 30 families in Navotas were evacuated yesterday after sandbags failed to plug a damaged river wall in Barangay San Jose.

Floods swamped parts of the barangay on Saturday due to an uncontrolled high tide resulting from a floodgate that had been damaged since May 11.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the floodgate is now operational, but full rehabilitation is needed.

“We cannot shut down the Malabon-Navotas floodgate because it is still needed. But it badly needs to be replaced,” Bonoan told dzBB.

Up to 121 people are taking shelter at the Navotas Elementary School I and San Jose barangay hall.

Bonoan said construction of dikes in Malabon and Navotas is ongoing.