DPWH chief: 'Years of neglect' cause of metro flooding

MANILA, Philippines - Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson urged the public not to blame the agency for some of the yearly floods that hit parts of Manila during the rainy season.

"Yung nangyayaring isolated flooding eh 'wag niyo naman sanang isisi sa amin, [tulad] 'yung baha sa Espana (in Manila). Taun-taon naman, nagbabaha 'yan. Alam naman nating kapag umulan, baha yang Espana," Singson said at a televised press briefing on Wednesday.

He said there are several other areas in Metro Manila with the same flood problem, but solutions are being implemented.

Singson, who has been the DPWH chief since 2010, said the floods are caused by "years of neglect" and the government, for the first time, now actually has a flood-control masterplan, which was approved only last year.

He said this masterplan addresses the three major causes of flooding in Metro Manila: the huge volume of water coming from the Sierra Madre mountains, blocked drainages in core areas, and the presence of low-lying communities around Manila Bay and Laguna Lake.

The implementation of the masterplan will be completed in 2035, but Singson assured that they have identified "high priority" projects that can already improve the flood situation in the metro.

"Kapag natapos (priority projects) na eh talagang malaking ginhawa na dito sa NCR," said Singson, adding that there are currently 90 ongoing drainage improvement projects in Metro Manila and 12 major pumping stations are also being upgraded.

The DPWH chief said eight major waterways need to be cleared, which will affect 20,000 informal settlers.

Some 405 truckload of garbage are collected every month from these eight major waterways, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.

With the flood control programs in place, Singson demanded patience from the public for the completion of all these efforts from the government.

"The funding is not an issue. We just need time to be able to implement all of these major projects that we are undertaking," said Singson.

"Yung pag-implement ng master plan should not be seen... as an immediate overnight outcome. Rather, it should be seen and felt as a process," added Tolentino.