Navotas yearning for flood control project

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said yesterday he is all for the construction of the multi-billion Camanava Mega Flood Control Project as the final solution to the long time problem of flooding in that part of Metro Manila.

Navotas, however, cannot stand another four years of waiting, the earliest time it will take to complete the project, as the floods continue to severely affect their otherwise normal lives.

"Navotas cannot wait for another four years, after things began to take shape in 1998 yet for the construction of the mega dike project," Tiangco said.

The mayor said while the national government is occupied with preparations for the construction of the much-delayed flood control project, a relaunching of which has been scheduled tentatively within the last week of this month, the local government of Navotas, on its own, is set to build pumping stations and dikes in two of the most low-lying barangays of the town.

"With these flood-mitigating facilities, to be put up in Barangays Tanza and Bangkulasi, the residents can then experience a little more improvement in the quality of their lives within the next few months," Tiangco said adding that the local government is taking flood control as a priority project.

At present, Tiangco said, the municipal government has been improving the town’s aging and damaged drainage systems and undertaking the clearing of riverbanks as part of the clean-up drive and in preparation for the construction of the dikes.

"The local government’s flood control program, though admittedly limited, has started to pay off as some parts of the town which used to be flooded have been out of the problem list," Tiangco pointed out.

Municipal Engineer Miguel Soriano said the local government draws up a list of projects every year putting the flood control program as a priority. He said the mayor has been on top of it since he assumed office in 2001.