Massive flooding feared

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) warned yesterday of massive flooding in Metro Manila due to continuous dumping of garbage in creeks and drainage systems that now threatened to clog almost all of their 17 pumping stations in the metropolis.

Remi Deang, regional director of the DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR), said that the DPWH’s depots all over Metro Manila have now become temporary open dumpsites for the more than 20,000 cubic meters of garbage they have collected from the pumping stations.

The garbage, according to Deang, is composed of garbage thrown by undisciplined residents into various creeks in Metro Manila and the debris left by contractors doing road repair works in the metropolis.

Deang, who attended yesterday’s first meeting of the National Commission on Solid Waste Management (NCSWM) held at the DENR’s main office on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City, said that massive flooding will surely hit Metro Manila if they are not able to dispose of the garbage.

Francisco Imperial, chief of the DPWH-NCR pumping stations, said that they collect 20,000 cubic meters of garbage annually from their pumping stations.

DENR Acting Secretary Joemari Gerochi asked the DPWH to prepare a draft of guidelines for the collection of the debris left by contractors in various construction sites, especially those doing road repairs, after the projects are finished.

The DPWH has seven major pumping stations in Metro Manila located in Libertad in Pasay near the light Rail Transit (LRT); Balut and Vitas; Abilen/Sta. Mesa; Binondo; Muslim Center in Quiapo; Valencia in Sta. Mesa.

The 10 minor pumping stations are in Pandacan; Sta. Clara, Makati; San Andres; Pandacan; Escolta in Manila; Balete; Adamson University; Aroceros, Luneta; Luneta-Manila Hotel; and Napindan.