MMDA calls on villages to use sandbags vs flooding

MANILA, Philippines–After proving that the sandbagging technique was effective during Typhoon Glenda, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino encouraged the different barangays (villages) in Metro Manila to practice the flood-control method.

In the MMDA’s weekly radio program on dzBB on Sunday, Tolentino suggested that each household in Metro Manila have at least 10 sandbags ready in case of flooding during storms.

“I highly recommend this to the 22 most flood-prone areas we identified earlier, especially now that the ‘habagat’ season is coming,” he said.

Two weeks ago, the MMDA enumerated the areas in Metro Manila that were most vulnerable to floods with a warning to commuters and motorists to avoid these places in case of heavy rains.

Tolentino said that barangay officials in these areas should prepare at least 50 sacks filled with sand and use these during heavy downpour to minimize the effects of flooding.

In preparation for the entry of Glenda last week, the MMDA placed sandbags on the seawall of Manila Bay, reducing flooding on Roxas Boulevard.

Tolentino, however, said that barangay officials should first undergo training on how to properly pile the sandbags to avoid diverting the floodwater to adjacent areas.

He also called on real property developers to donate sandbags to local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.

During an assessment of the performance of LGUs when Glenda passed near the metropolis last Wednesday, Tolentino noted the big improvement in their typhoon preparations, particularly the preemptive evacuation conducted in the cities of Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Malabon and Navotas.

He said that residents readily cooperated with local officials, leaving their houses for temporary shelters, even before the typhoon struck.

The MMDA chair also noted that the disaster preparations and mitigation efforts of the LGUs were becoming “borderless.”

“The local government units’ response to disaster now is not only focused on their locality but also spans adjacent cities and municipalities,” Tolentino said, adding that they should continue developing this type of response.