‘Remove squatters from waterways’

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reiterated yesterday the need to immediately eject squatters who have erected shanties on waterways to make the government’s flood-control projects effective.

It was revealed that the relocation of the illegal settlers was one of the major issues discussed during consultations between the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways on the transfer of flood-control functions.

For the second straight week, parts of Metro Manila were submerged under floodwater due to heavy rains since Friday.

According to the MMDA Metrobase, the flooded areas included the traditionally flood prone Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) district as well as parts of Manila and Quezon City. The areas of Tullahan in Valenzuela; España, Manila; Tumana, Marikina; España from Lerma to Blumentritt, Buendia-Pasong Tamo-Washington street in Makati City; and parts of the South Superhighway in Parañaque City accumulated floodwaters with levels ranging from knee to waist-deep, officials said.

Traffic along the north and southbound lanes of EDSA was at a standstill Friday night because of the heavy rains. Several commuters were stranded in several areas as the public utility jeepneys stopped plying their routes early Friday night because of heavy traffic brought about by the floods.

According to DPWH National Capital Region director Antonio Sta. Elena, the agency is having a hard time dredging the waterways of Metro Manila because of the presence of the squatter shanties.

Sta. Elena pointed out that the squatters situated on top of the waterways and esteros are major contributors to flooding because of their indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna disclosed that several of the pumping stations in Metro Manila are not effective because of the garbage dumped on the waterways.

The series of inspections conducted by the MMDA and the DPWH last week revealed that the trash had rendered the pumping stations useless.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando noted that the relocation of the squatter colonies is one of the issues he would be raising to President Arroyo in the upcoming Regional Development Council meeting. – Marvin Sy and Sheila Crisostomo