A traffic enforcer directs traffic at a flooded Dagupan City intersection. Many Dagupeños have learned to live with floods and the rising tide as the city faces Lingayen Gulf and is crisscrossed by seven rivers. (WILLIE LOMIBAO / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is calling for a Senate inquiry on the government’s flood control plan.
Revilla has filed a resolution seeking for a legislative inquiry after flash floods inundated Metro Manila and adjacent provinces last weekend.
“The country has repeatedly witnessed catastrophic flooding of communities. Matatandaan natin ang Ondoy at ang Yolanda. Naaalala pa rin natin ang Ulysses, and more tragic disasters in the recent decade,” Revilla said in a statement on Tuesday.
(We still remember Ondoy and Yolanda. We still remember Ulysses, and more tragic disasters in the recent decade.)
“We cannot simply forget the unthinkable number of lives lost, complete devastation of areas directly affected, and the severe effects on living conditions and livelihood which led to a long-term negative impact on the health of many Filipinos and on the country’s economy”, he added.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Revilla said, should inform the Congress’ upper chamber on their efforts and plans to address the country’s flooding problem.
The DPWH and the MMDA, in coordination with local government units, are responsible for the implementation of the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas Project.
“Mahalaga na maging maagap tayo at siguraduhing handa ang bayan bago pa man tumama ang sakuna. Hindi pwede ang petiks kung ang usapan ay ang kaligtasan ng taumbayan, at lalong hindi pwedeng magkibit-balikat kung ang problema ay paulit-ulit na pumepeste sa bayan,” the senator pointed out.
(It is important to be proactive and ensure that the country is prepared before the catastrophe hits. We cannot be laidback if the issue involves the public’s safety, and we cannot shrug off if the problem repeatedly pesters the country.)
“The commuting public have been laden with this decades-old issue. It is high time we look into this before it is too late”, he lamented.
Earlier, the DPWH reported that 13,224 flood control structures have been completed nationwide in the past six years.
The MMDA, meanwhile, said that pumping stations in Metro Manila are at 100-percent capacity for the rainy season.
The Philippines, one of the most cyclone-prone nations across the globe because of its geographical position, is visited by around 20 tropical cyclones yearly.