Rep. Winston Castelo. Photo from congress.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines—The chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development Representative Winston Castelo has urged concerned government bodies to form a joint flood mitigation scheme.
Castelo, through proposed House Resolution No. 219, called on the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units (LGUs) to “once and for all craft a unified flood control program for Metro Manila.”
The Quezon City second district congressman said in a press release that the program “would ultimately stave off the damage and danger brought about by chronic inclement weather.”
“For the longest time, proposals were raised and allocations were made by concerned agencies for flood control but the fruition is yet to be seen. A unified flood control program in Metro Manila would ultimately stave off the blight brought about by the chronic inclement weather and save billions of pesos in revenues in the process,” he said.
Due to the magnitude of damage on people’s lives and properties when severe flooding arises, he said the creation of “elaborate and reliable” flood control program was necessary, citing the massive floods brought by tropical storm Maring last August 19.
Some 300,000 residents of Metro Manila were displaced because of heavy flooding. The damage to properties and infrastructure wrought by Maring (international name: Trami) was estimated at P97 million.
He pointed out that the scheme, which joins key agencies in easing the flood problem in Metro Manila, will save billions of pesos in government funds.
Castelo also noted an assessment of the Philippine National Red Cross that “one-third of Metro Manila was under water, with some areas enduring waist-deep floods.”
“Even long after the floodwaters receded, the victims have to endure the scourge for a very long time,” he said.
“The floods brought to fore the stark reality on the considerable loss to property and crops. At such juncture, foremost was the safety of human lives,” he added.
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