Malabon blames DPWH anew for floods

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Malabon Flood Advisory Council (MFAC) blamed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) anew yesterday for the recent flooding in the city, which had already instituted measures to keep flooding to a minimum.

“The DPWH is not doing its work. It is the cause of the floods in Malabon,” said MFAC chairman Eddie Torres during a special meeting at the city hall yesterday.

Torres said they found out the city, particularly its main roads, were flooded because the DPWH did not close the floodgates during high tide, which would keep the seawater from breaching the river walls and from flooding the city.

The MFAC accused the DPWH of allegedly favoring the more than 1,000 banca owners and fishermen “parked” just inside the floodgate area, to the detriment of the residents of Malabon and Navotas.

Camanava flood control project engineer Joel admitted the navigational floodgate in Tanza, Navotas remained open to accommodate the fisherfolk, particularly the banca owners and operators in the floodgate area.

He said this was prompted by a pillbox thrown at the pumping station when they tried to close the gate recently.

Magtagnob said a banca tried to beat the closing of the navigational lock was severely damaged and the persons manning the boat put in serious danger.

 “The Marines are now guarding the facility in addition to private security guards,” he said.

Torres said he also learned the DPWH officials set but did not follow a schedule to open and close the floodgates, causing delays for shipyard owners to get in and out of the channel.

Lambert Sianghio, the shipyard owners’ spokesman and former president of the Metro Manila Shipyard Association (MMSA), told The STAR the delays are causing additional losses for them as these translate to additional expenses.

Sianghio also proposed that bancas be put outside the floodgate area instead, noting that majority of banca owners were not from either Malabon or Navotas, but from Pasay, Parañaque and Cavite.

Magtagnob promised the council to revise the schedule.

In a previous meeting, he told the MFAC it was Japanese consultant Hitoshi Kin who prepared the erroneous schedule. Kin, who was at yesterday’s meeting, denied the allegation.

Magtagnob then said it was DPWH official Carla Bartolo and her engineers who prepared it. At this point, Torres told Magtagnob to avoid finger pointing and take responsibility for the lapses.

No fuel for flood pumps

Torres said they also found out “straight from the horse’s mouth” that four barangays were recently flooded because the DPWH was scrimping on fuel to run the pumps at the Catmon pumping station.

The Catmon pumps operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority serves the low-lying barangays of Niugan, Longos, Tonsuya and Catmon.

Magtagnob early on told the MFAC that they have no more fuel for the pumps and sought funding from the city government.

He said the Catmon pump consumes 120 liters per hour to maintain a certain water level without flooding the barangays concerned. He said the pumps run for three hours every day.

Torres said they have supplied the Catmon pumps with 4,000 liters, which he said was good for two weeks. He did not say where he will get the next supply.

City administrator Benjamin Villacorta scolded the DPWH for its alleged incompetence and indecision.

“Tell us what you cannot do and we will do it. Tell us what the (flood control) project does not cover… so we know when to step in,” he said just before walking out of the meeting.