‘Chedeng’ to test MMDA-private sector partnership

MANILA, Philippines—Various private sector groups participating in the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s “Bayanihan” flood control project would be at their posts starting Wednesday as tropical storm “Chedeng” bears down on the country.

While initial forecasts predicted that the weather disturbance would spare the capital, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the preparations were necessary to avoid a repeat of the destruction wrought by tropical storm “Ondoy” in Metro Manila in 2009.

“Our private sector partners have informed us that they would be manning their posts beginning tomorrow (Wednesday),” he told the Inquirer over the phone on Tuesday.

The official also said that he would meet the Metro Manila Disaster Coordinating Council on Wednesday afternoon.

Tolentino added that the 50 pumping stations spread across the capital were all functional should floodwaters rise due to Chedeng.

Traffic personnel have also started dispatching enforcers to alternate routes should main roads get flooded as well, he said.

In addition, rubber boats and other floatation devices will be placed in critical areas identified by the MMDA in Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Quezon City, Tolentino added.

According to him, the flood control Bayanihan zones the MMDA established starting last year would also be put to the test.

Tolentino initiated the Bayanihan project in October last year so that government would get much-needed support from the private sector during emergencies.

Any storm or typhoon is a cause for concern among residents, a Marikina City official said Tuesday as the local government started preparing for Chedeng.

Since Monday, the city has been holding emergency meetings with department heads and city councilors to discuss disaster-risk-reduction measures should the tropical storm hit Metro Manila.

“We should be prepared for the worst. [We must] ensure that all necessary resources are working and in place,” Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz said.

He recounted how the Marikina River swelled from 11 meters to 15.8 meters when it rained nonstop for 10 hours at the height of “Bebeng.” It took several days before the water subsided.

“It was a close call. Add more hours of rain and we [would have] experienced a massive flood,” Cadiz said.—With Niña Calleja