Gov't needs 23 years to complete NCR flood control plan

The government needs 23 years to complete its P351-billion master plan to solve the perennial flooding in Metro Manila, but short-term steps are being undertaken to address the problem, Cabinet officials said Wednesday.

 

At a press briefing in Malacañang, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson explained that the full implementation of the flood control plan will only be realized in 2035 because it involves some large-scale infrastructure projects.

 

"Ang sinasabi, bakit naman 2035 pa kami makakaranas ng ginhawa? Hindi naman po ganoon. Kaya ganyan iyan kahaba dahil may watershed management na kasama, may dam tayo na ilalagay so this may take some time," Singson told reporters.

 

But Singson quickly added that the government has already started "high impact" and "high priority" projects to provide short-term solutions to the flooding problem in the country's capital region.

 

"Kapag natapos natin iyon, talagang malaking ginhawa na rito sa NCR," he said.

 

Last September, a month after monsoon rains caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila, the Aquino administration approved a P351-billion long-term flood management master plan to solve the flooding problem in the National Capital Region.

Nine months after the approval of the plan, however, floodwaters continue to inundate Metro Manila. During the past few days, heavy rains have already caused floods and traffic jams in NCR, prompting the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to call for earlier dismissal of classes and office work.

Priority projects

 

Singson said the "high priority" projects include the clearing of waterways to increase the drainage capacity in Metro Manila.

He said this involves relocating some 19,000 informal settlers living near waterways by the end of the year.

 

"Kung baga sa puso, barado na itong arteries. Aatakihin na talaga iyong tao. So kailangan nating mailabas nang mabilis ang tubig," he said.

 

Singson added that his agency is also undertaking steps to improve the outdated design of the metro's drainage system.

 

For his part, MMDA chief Francis Tolentino said the drainage system in NCR needs to be cleared immediately, since it only has 10 to 13 percent "open space" for floodwaters.

 

He said his agency is currently taking steps to remove piles of garbage blocking major waterways in the metro, which he said accumulates 405 truckloads of trash a month. 

 

He added he is going to raise this problem to newly elected Metro Manila mayors in a meeting next month.

 

Tolentino likewise appealed for the public's understanding for the long time it will take for the government to fully implement its flood control plan.

 

"Ang pakiusap siguro dapat maunawaan natin ‘yung pag-implement ‘nung master plan should not be seen, should not be anticipated as an immediate overnight outcome; rather, it should be seen and felt as a process. Ano ‘yung proseso? Mahaba po ito," he said. — RSJ, GMA News