MMDA vows to fix dikes, conduct dredging ops in Marikina to end flood woes

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro. Photo from Marikina PIO Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) vowed to restore damaged dikes and help in dredging operations in Marikina City to help prevent heavy flooding in the future, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said Thursday.

“The MMDA promised to assist the city in its dredging operations that aim to increase the water carrying capacity of Marikina River and prevent future flooding,” said Teodoro in a statement.

“MMDA Chairman [Benhur] Abalos also vowed to help Marikina City in restoring the dikes in Provident Village which were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses,” he added.

In the same statement, MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said they will deploy their personnel who will “permanently” conduct dredging works in the city.

He also noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways will also help in the flood prevention activities in Marikina, which was battered by Typhoon Ulysses in November last year.

Over 42 families were sent to evacuation centers, following the sudden rise of water level at the Marikina River this Thursday morning due to heavy rainfall.

Data from Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that 31 families or 151 people are staying at Malanday Elementary School; five each in H. Bautista Elementary School and Bulelak Gymnasium; and one family in San Roque Elementary School.

As of 12:10 noon, the water level of the river went down to 14.3 meters, lifting its first alarm status.

The Marikina River status reached a second alarm at 4:28 a.m. after its water level went above 15 meters. It was downgraded to the first alarm more than two hours later.

JPV