Marcos Jr. to DPWH: Fix damaged Navotas gate causing floods

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately come up with a remedy to the damaged navigational gate in Navotas that has been causing severe flooding in the city and nearby areas.

During a briefing yesterday on the effects of Typhoon Carina at the Presidential Security Command headquarters, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said the gate would be repaired within a month.

However, five barangays in Malabon and three barangays in Navotas would continue to experience floods even if there are no typhoons while the bridge is undergoing repair, the MMDA chief added.

Marcos then asked the DPWH whether something could be done to prevent floods while the repair is ongoing.

“What is our remedy? Maybe we can at least block (the water) or is there something we can do? At least as an emergency measure and then we can go back and repair it properly?” the President said.

“Maybe put sandbags or something. I don’t know. But we have to get an engineer to look at it and to tell us what we can do,” he added.

The gate, which was inspected by Marcos yesterday, was damaged in June after a barge forcefully entered the channel from the sea going to the shipyard.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the F. Manalo Bridge, which was hit by 13 barges and tugboats because of the strong current in Marikina River, would undergo reconstruction.

According to him, the bridge’s freeboard is too low and is not really designed for barges to pass through.

“We’re going to reconstruct this bridge eventually. We have the funds for it, Mr. President. It’s just a matter of going through the design,” he said.

The bridge is temporarily closed while authorities are checking the damage it sustained.

“So, what we need to do there is to get an assessment as to whether or not we can use the bridge. That’s really the most important thing right now because what we’re trying to do is to... distribute whatever help, whatever assistance is required. But we have to know where that assistance is required,” Marcos said.

Artes said the MMDA has coordinated with the coast guard to determine how to remove the barges.

Marcos also directed agencies to address “weaknesses” in informing local governments about the release of excess water from dams.

“If we decide to open dams and if it is about to spill over, the downstream communities should be aware of it,” he said, adding local governments should be given three to four hours to prepare for the release of dam water.

Humanitarian assistance

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the local government units (LGUs) affected by Carina that it is ready to “replenish” the supply of family food packs (FFPs) they have given to flood and typhoon victims.

“It’s noteworthy to point out that there’s another 100,000 requests that came in. So, it would bring us to 500,000 family food packs,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief said they have already released a total of 360,228 FFPs to the various regional offices severely affected by the super typhoon and monsoon.

This is broken down as follows: 39,038 National Capital Region; 171,147 Central Luzon; 90,957 for Calabarzon; 38,766 for Mimaropa; and for Bicol 20,000.

Based on the July 25 report of DSWD, there are 101,509 families or 393,962 persons affected by the twin weather disturbance from 1,004 barangays.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also launched extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across the affected regions.

The AFP has deployed nine search, rescue and retrieval teams from the 2nd infantry division and five from the Joint Task Force National Capital Region.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force 505th search and rescue group, in collaboration with the Pasay City government, successfully rescued and evacuated approximately 100 residents affected by the flooding on July 24.

Employment assistance

Emergency employment awaits workers displaced due to Typhoon Carina, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma directed all DOLE offices to provide assistance to typhoon-affected workers through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

The Department of Migrant Workers has also assisted overseas Filipino workers whose flights were canceled due to the typhoon.

Leptospirosis surge

The Department of Health (DOH) sees a possible surge in leptospirosis and other flood-related diseases.

Unless appropriate precautionary measures are immediately taken, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said hospital emergency rooms could be filled with patients a week after the massive flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Herbosa yesterday ordered the immediate release of one million doses of Doxycycline to protect those who have been exposed to flood from leptospirosis.

He stressed that Doxycycline is a prescription drug and cannot be taken without consulting a doctor.

At least 11 health facilities, including four DOH-retained hospitals, were partially damaged by Typhoon Carina but Herbosa said all health facilities are operational.

He added that the Philippine General Hospital is back in full operation after closing its outpatient services for a day due to massive flooding.

Government hospitals and other health facilities in Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila are now under code blue.

Based on DOH data, 835 evacuation centers are housing over 38,000 families or 277,431 individuals from various parts of the country.

Calamity loan assistance

State-run pension funds Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) opened their emergency loan programs to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Carina.

For GSIS, it has set aside P18.5 billion in emergency loans to assist 864,089 members and pensioners in Metro Manila, Batangas and Rizal that are all under state of calamity.

Members and pensioners may apply for emergency loans starting today until Oct. 28.

GSIS members who have an existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous balance and still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000.

Those without existing emergency obligations, as well as pensioners may apply for a P20,000 loan.

For SSS, members may borrow a loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000.

Members should have at least 36 monthly contributions and should be below 65 years old to avail themselves of the calamity loan.

Meanwhile, government agencies can still tap P11 billion in disaster funds to support disaster rescue and relief operations, according to the Department of Budget and Management. –  Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin, Louise Maureen Simeon, Jose Rodel Clapano