Malabon allots P15 M for flood project

The Malabon City government has allotted some P15 million for its flood control project and gave the city’s engineering department 60 days to ease the city’s perennial flood problem.

Mayor Tito Oreta, in emphasizing the seriousness of his effort to lessen if not totally resolve his city’s decades-old problem, warned city engineer Ulysses Tumbucon that "heads will roll" once the 60-day period lapses without a noticeable anti-flood project in place.

The P15-million allocation is intended for the construction of at least 14 pumping stations in the city’s low-lying barangays, the putting up of river gate valves and the clearing and improvement of major canals and waterways.

Situated at a meter below sea level, Malabon serves as a catch basin of floodwaters in the northern part of Metro Manila during the rainy season. During high tide, most of the city’s 21 barangays are submerged in sea water, forcing light vehicles, including passenger jeepneys, to divert from their regular routes to reach their destination.

Barangay San Agustin, particularly F. Sevilla street, which the mayor regularly takes to report for office, is often rendered impassable even to heavy vehicles when high tide and flashflood occur simultaneously.

In the coastal town of Navotas, the municipal government has also intensified the declogging of esteros and waterways to ensure the effectiveness of its seven pumping stations.

Apart from ordering the improvement of the drainage system, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco also asked municipal engineer Miguel Serrano to conduct clearing operations at the riverbanks.

To sustain the effort, Tiangco enjoined residents to conduct regular clean-up drives.

"The flood control program, which the municipal government has been implementing, is starting to pay off as some parts of the downtown areas which used to be flooded even during light rains, are now passable," Tiangco said. "By addressing the perennial flood problem, we will be able to provide the municipality with economic activity, regardless of heavy rains and high tides."