Camanava flood control project on track

The Department of Public Works and Highways assured yesterday it would meet its target completion of the flood control project in Northern Metro Manila in September next year despite the recent breaching of the old Malabon dike.

DPWH Northern Metro Manila Mega Flood Control Project director Carla Bartolo said they are on track in the implementation of the P5-billion project, which involves the construction of polder dikes, river channel improvements, installation of floodgates, pumping stations, drainage facilities and raising of existing road structures to prevent perennial flooding in the area.

Bartolo said the project covering the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) is now 85 percent complete.

Officials of local governments in Camanava earlier expressed concern on the implementation of the project after the old dike in Malabon collapsed recently.

The DPWH official said they immediately conducted investigation on the breaching and found that it was caused by heavy rains, high tide and the unexpected release of water from the Angat Dam brought about by recent Typhoon Mina.