Boat hits Navotas floodgate anew

MANILA, Philippines —  Another boat damaged the Navotas floodgate on Tuesday, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

The MMDA said fishing vessel Monalinda 98 ran aground and “scraped the top portion of the navigational gate” while being towed.

Monalinda 98 also did not follow its scheduled passage, traversing the gate at 5:43 a.m. instead of between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

“At the time, its actual draft, measured at 3.9 meters, was significantly greater than the declared draft of 1.6 meters, rendering it unsafe to cross,” the MMDA said.

Due to the incident, the MMDA said “the navigational gate sustained hairline cracks.”

“A further comprehensive assessment will be required to determine the extent of damage to the overall structure,” the agency said.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco inspected the floodgate, which will remain operational.

In 2024, low-lying communities in Navotas and Malabon were inundated after a barge hit the floodgate.

The floodgate is meant to prevent water from Manila Bay from entering rivers and waterways in the two cities when the bay swells during high tide or stormy weather.