Ex-Valenzuela executive warns: Fishpond conversion could bring more flash floods

MANILA, Philippines -  A former Valenzuela official yesterday appealed to government agencies to look into the continued conversion of fishponds in the city and neighboring localities into industrial lots, saying it would result in severe flooding of low-lying villages in northern Metro Manila.

Alvin Feliciano, former president of the Valenzuela City barangay league, said that at least 17 flood-prone barangays in Valenzuela – Arkong Bato, Bisig, Tagalag, Balangkas, Palasan, Pasolo, Rincon, Malinta, Wawang Polo, Isla, Coloong, Malanday, Pablacion, Polo, Pariancillo, Mabolo and Dalandanan – are in danger of flash floods due to these ongoing projects.

“With the continued conversion of hectares of fishponds in the city and the neighboring Malabon City and Obando in Bulacan, floodwaters have nowhere to go. The Polo River, which used to serve as a floodgate to Manila Bay, is already silted,” he said.

Feliciano said the 17 villages he mentioned would “become catch basins for floodwater” during rainy days, adding that his barangay, Arkong Bato, would suffer the most as it is 1.5 meters lower than the other barangays.