Palace: Gov’t master plan should solve Metro flood woes

FOLLOWING the state weather bureau’s announcement that rainy season has officially started, Malacañang said flooding problems in Metro Manila should soon be addressed with the continued implementation of the flood management master plan.

“Puspusan ang isinasagawang paghahanda ng ating Department of Public Works and Highways. Katuwang din nila ang MMDA,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio.

(The Department of Public Works and Highways is thorough in its preparations. Partnering with them is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.)

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Tuesday said the rainy season will last for three months and around 11 to 16 tropical cyclones are expected until December.

Residents of Metro Manila are also bracing for floods, which often hit the region during rainy season.

Coloma said the master plan would also involve nearby provinces since reforestation and increasing the absorptive capacity of higher areas are crucial in reducing the occurrence of floods in Metro Manila.

He said the plan would be in use until 2035.

“Hindi tayo gumagawa lamang ng mga project na papatsi-patse na para lamang sa pangkasalukuyang pangangailangan (We are not pursuing piecemeal projects that address only current problems),” Coloma explained.

On the other hand, the Palace official apologized for the traffic and inconvenience that the public works projects might cause.

“Kaya lang humihingi rin ng pag-unawa ang ating pamahalaan dahil may mga proyekto na lumilikha ng konting abala dahil siyempre kapag gumagawa ng mga drainage projects, maaaring apektado ang mga daanan o mga kalsada natin, maaaring sumikip ito, nagkakaroon ng trapik,” he said. “Pero makakaasa naman tayo na kapag natapos ang mga proyektong ito ay makakatulog tayo nang mas mahimbing dahil mas handa na iyong ating mga sistema sa flood control.”

(However, our government apologizes because there would be projects that will result in inconvenience because certainly, if we construct drainage projects, roads will be affected and it will cause heavy traffic. But as soon as the projects are completed, we should sleep well because we have a better flood control system.)

In an earlier press briefing, Coloma said the master plan involves the construction of pumping stations, riverwalls and catchment areas. Rivers and other bodies of water will also be dredged.

It will also require improvements in flood information and warning systems.

He said the master plan was first implemented in 2012 and will be in place until 2035.

“It aims to secure 20 million residents in 16 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, 43 cities and municipalities in Calabarzon and eight cities and municipalities in Bulacan,” he said.