DPWH men heave sigh of relief

The turnover is complete. Now can they handle this hot potato without enough cash?

The Department of Public Works and Highways yesterday heaved a sigh of relief after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) formally took over the DPWH’s flood control functions in the metropolis.

The DPWH said in a statement that it had facilitated the final transfer of all aspects of flood control responsibility to the MMDA, including the reassignment of 1,200 DPWH personnel on flood management detail as well as control over 15 large pumping stations, two floodgates, two trash removal equipment and 19 other units of heavy equipment.

"Actually, they (DPWH officials) are regretting that the (flood control) function is being transferred, because it has been with us ever since. But what is really being transferred is the problem, it will no longer be our worry," DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) director Antonio Sta. Elena told The STAR.

The perennial problem of flash floods in Metro Manila has always been a headache for the DPWH, which is severely criticized each time the metropolis floods.

"The MMDA will have to learn in the coming days the problem of flood control. It will discover so many things, like our shortcomings in the past, which the people could not understand. The MMDA will later find out (the reasons for these shortcomings) and why we could not solve (these problems) right away," Sta. Elena said.

He also issued a friendly warning to the MMDA that over the next two years, the MMDA may find its hands full of flood problems, but with scant resources at its disposal.

The DPWH has been complaining for the past three years that funding for flood control projects has been drastically reduced.

Sta. Elena described the recent rains as "phenomenal" due to the "sheer volume of water dumped on the metropolis in such a short time." The floods spawned by the recent rains could not be accommodated by smaller, heavily silted and garbage-clogged drainage systems.

"The MMDA has control over garbage collection and garbage is contributing to the flooding. At least now, (the MMDA) can move more easily," Sta. Elena said.

Added to the equipment and personnel transferred, P40 million, the remainder of the P188.9 million in funds earmarked for the flood control program’s maintenance and operating expenses and equipment, was also turned over to the MMDA.

Sta. Elena also said the DPWH has created a system that will prevent both agencies from violating the law, since the General Appropriations Act provided the P188.9 million fund for the DPWH’s use.

For the meantime, Sta. Elena said, all cash disbursements for the salaries of flood control personnel and expenses for the maintenance of flood control facilities and equipment will be facilitated by the DPWH, though the MMDA will have effective control over these personnel and equipment.

The flood control allocations for Metro Manila under the 2003 budget will later be changed to provide the money to the MMDA instead of the DPWH. Funding for all new flood control projects, on the other hand, will be left up to Congress and the MMDA, he added.

Meanwhile, MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna said the agency will have a difficult time dispatching its new responsibility, because the P40 million turned over by the DPWH to the MMDA for the flood control program falls far short of the funding needed to effectively implement the flood control program.

According to Lacuna, the MMDA estimates that it needs P300 million to rehabilitate ineffective and clogged pumping stations, desilting waterways and drainage systems, among other flood control measures.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando had previously said the MMDA intends to focus on rehabilitating ineffective pumping stations, desilting esteros and canals and cleaning up the metropolis’ drainage systems to prevent further flooding.