The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is drawing up a new set of plans to mitigate flooding in the city during the monsoon season.

“We cannot avoid floods just like we can’t avoid traffic. But we can reduce, mitigate them,” said MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino.

"The gist of the plan is that the fluvial process should not conflict with land use. This means that the natural flow of water should not be hampered by existing and construction of buildings and other vertical structures," he added.

MMDA and the 17 mayors comprising the Metro Manila Council signed the Estero Declaration to mark their commitment to protecting and cleaning waterways.

The MMDA has also partnered with the San Miguel Foundation to dredge and clean up the 15-kilometer Tullahan River, between the San Miguel Brewery-Polo plant in Valenzuela City to Manila Bay in Navotas.

“The company itself will use its own heavy equipment to dredge the river,” said Tolentino. “The government won’t have to spend anything for that.”

In anticipation of floods, the agency also unveiled a new line of rescue boats.

According to former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando however, the agency has to focus on long-term solutions such as relocation of informal settlers along waterways and widening of waterways like the Marikina River.

Outdated plans

Tolentino admitted that Metro Manila’s current flood plans, which were drawn up back in 1952, will not protect the city from floods due to clogged drainage systems and the blockage caused by around 70,000 families living along waterways.

"I have to admit, infastructure-wise some of our drainage systems, lateral systems are still clogged,” he said.

Tolentino added that Metro Manila is not ready for another flood crisis like the one caused by last year’s typhoons Ondoy (international name Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma), which inundated various areas of the Metropolis, including Pasig and Marikina.

He has appealed to Congress for financial aid to revamp Metro Manila’s flood system, as such a project would cost “billions of pesos.”