EDITORIAL - Paralyzed

One brief but heavy downpour the other night and people were stuck for up to three hours in a horrid traffic gridlock the other night along flooded portions of EDSA and several other parts of Metro Manila. 

That was no typhoon, low-pressure area or monsoon rain. It was just a downpour that has become a regular occurrence particularly during afternoons since the official onset of the rainy season earlier this month. Yet the floods rose quickly and receded too slowly. Combined with simultaneous public works projects being undertaken all over Metro Manila, the result was traffic paralysis.

Reports said even President Aquino got held up by the traffic and arrived late for an engagement, despite his convoy’s blinkers and motorcycle escorts. That should give him an idea of what lies ahead when the torrential monsoons and typhoons arrive. The President should hope that there won’t be another “Ondoy” or “Milenyo” in Metro Manila this year.

Beyond hoping, he should order concerned agencies to do more to improve drainage so that even if floods are inevitable in low-lying areas, water will recede quickly. Engineering intervention is also needed in areas where commercial or residential development has dammed up natural paths for rainwater to drain into rivers and creeks.

Local governments must do their part and ensure that by now, waterways have been dredged or at least cleared of solid waste. Barangay officials should do their job and identify to city hall which waterways need cleaning. Even a single clogged creek can cause severe flooding in a community.

The Philippine National Police and Metro Manila Development Authority should also coordinate to improve traffic management during downpours and flashfloods. Traffic cops and aides are not supposed to join people in taking shelter from rain and floods; they’re supposed to prevent and untangle any mess in the streets.

Last Thursday’s flashfloods were just a prelude to the expected typhoons. Cataclysmic storms and flooding in the past years should have improved disaster response in Metro Manila, but last Thursday’s gridlock showed the lack of preparedness even for flashfloods. Responses should be reviewed and improved before a major typhoon strikes.