The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now focused on the rehabilitation of Muntinlupa City, where eight barangays lying on the shoreline of Laguna de Bay remain submerged in floodwater since Tropical Storm ?Ondoy? (international codename: Ketsana) struck the metropolis on Sept. 26.

In a statement, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando said members of the agency?s roadway clearing group have been deployed to Muntinlupa to clean up clogged esteros (creeks), clear the drainage system of garbage and remove water lilies from the lake.

Fernando added that about two weeks ago, he also sent workers and dump trucks to assist the city government in clearing the streets of obstructions and garbage.

The barangays in the city which remain flooded are Tunasan, Poblacion, Putatan, Bayanan, Alabang, Sucat, Cupang and Buli. Only Barangay Ayala Alabang was spared when water from Laguna Lake spilled over after Ondoy dumped a huge amount of rain on Metro Manila over several hours.

Until now, the floods in the some areas remain waist-high, Omar Acosta, Muntinlupa information officer, told the Inquirer.

?It?s a pity. Every day, residents have to go in and out of their houses through their windows on the second floor,? he said.

He added, ?This has caused us so much trouble. There is perennial heavy traffic because some roads are impassable, certain jobs were lost and evacuees [remain] in (Muntinlupa) public schools.?