Brace for worse floods — DENR

MANILA, Philippines — Unless drastic measures are implemented, the flooding in Marikina, Pasig and Cainta in Rizal will become worse, according to an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

At a press conference yesterday, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David blamed urbanization for the floods in Rizal and other Metro Manila areas amid the rains brought by Tropical Storm Enteng and the southwest monsoon.

David admitted that there is no overnight solution to the flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

He said additional development in the upstream portion of Marikina, San Mateo and Rodriguez would result in more floods in downstream portions of Cainta, Marikina and Pasig.

“Year in and year out, unless we do drastic measures, this (flooding) will actually become worse,” David said.

While the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to implement various projects to solve flooding, David said it would take years before these are completed.

“There are a lot of intervention measures and proposals from the DPWH such as the mega dike in Marikina River,” he said.

“There is also the widening of the Manggahan Floodway and the new spillway from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, but definitely these will not happen in the next year or so,” he added.

David warned the public that flooding will happen on a monthly basis.

“This is not only within each local government unit as urbanization has also affected other LGUs. As you can see, the development upstream affects those LGUs downstream,” he noted.

David said that short-term solutions should be undertaken while waiting for the DPWH projects to come onstream.

“We must contend with the floods on a monthly basis. Definitely, there is going to be flooding in September and maybe one more in October or November. A lot of coordination needs to be done,” David said.

“We must make sure our waterways are clear of obstructions and constrictions,” he added.

According to David, information dissemination is important to ensure that those to be affected by flooding are prepared.

He underscored the need to improve the garbage collection as part of the short-term solutions to address flooding.