Pleyto orders clearing of clogged waterways in Metro

The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) office has ordered its flood control engineers to intensify the desilting, declogging and clearing waterways with illegal structures in Metro Manila to prevent the occurrence of flash floods.

This developed as Regional Director Salvador Pleyto yesterday pegged damage caused by recent flooding in the metropolis at P40-million. He said "round-the-clock" repairs are being done.

Pleyto ordered all district engineers to immediately repair and rehabilitate all roads damaged by Typhoon Biring.

He noted that many national roads suffered severe damage that require at least 5,000 tons of asphalt, costing P16.3 million, to repair.

"Bantay Estero" crews are currently desilting and declogging major esteros including Esteros de la Reina, Sampaloc, Paco, Vitas, San Lazaro and Magdalena, involving some 20 kilometers of waterways. Bantay Estero is aimed at mitigating the flood problem.

Pleyto said the DPWH is spending some P1.5 million per kilometer annually for dredging operations.

The Bantay Estero Program is a cheaper alternative costing only P250,000 per kilometer per year.

Meanwhile, in Las Piñas, Mayor Vergel Aguilar said that city residents and motorists have expressed satisfaction to the new traffic scheme being implemented by the Las Piñas City Traffic Management Council.

The LPCTMC, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante, has recently introduced new traffic procedures that forbid counter-flowing, obstruction and lane cutting, which are the common causes of traffic jams.

Center road barriers have been placed along Zapote-Alabang Road and those two-way alternate roads have been declared "one way," which shall prohibit motorists to make abrupt turns and short cuts that usually lead to heavy traffic.

Danny Hernandez, president of BF Homes Resort Village Homeowners' Association Inc. said that the new traffic scheme has eased the flow of traffic in major thoroughfares including those intersections going to gates of the BFRVHAI.

"We are glad that the flow of traffic in the intersection on the way out of our main gate is eventually becoming smooth. Like the 'Friendship Route' Project we are in support for programs like this of the city government," Hernandez said.

Councilor Abet Aguilar, Association of Barangay Captains president, has pledged full support for the newly implemented traffic scheme saying it will discipline motorists and will minimize road accidents.