Fish ponds obstructing flow of floodwater out of Bulacan, Pampanga —NDRRMC

Floodwaters in Bulacan and Pampanga provinces are subsiding slower than expected due to fish ponds situated along the Pampanga River, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

In a press briefing, NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said the fish ponds obstruct the flow of water to Manila Bay, adding even President Benigno Aquino III saw this during an aerial inspection of areas hit by Typhoon Lando on Thurday.

“Iyong tubig galing Bulacan, Pampanga, dito po dapat dumaan 'yan papuntang Manila Bay, dike ito at ito, posibleng buong area na ito pwedeng daanan ng tubig,” Pama said, pointing to Pampanga River on a map. “Nung makita ko, puro fishponds ito.”

Areas in Bulacan and Pampanga have been submerged in floodwater coming from the mountainous areas of northern Luzon for days now following the onslaught of Typhoon Lando last weekend.

Pama, during the press briefing, highlighted the need to clear the waterways.

“Parang 'yung tubig sa loob ng balde, kung maliit 'yung butas mas matagal ma-empty. Lakihan mo ‘yung butas, mas mabilis 'yung labas ng tubig,” he said.

He said their next move will depend on the instructions of President Aquino, who met with members of his Cabinet after the inspections.

“Ang pagkakalaam ko pagkatapos ng aerial survey, may pagpupulong pang ginawa ang mahal na pangulo sa ibang miyembro ng gabinete. Hindi ko alam ang usapan so far but one thing I’m sure of ang pinag-usapan ay resulta ng pag-iikot ng pangulo. I’m awaiting for the instructions, I’m sure that will be forthcoming,” he said.

President Aquino visited Casiguran Thursday to distribute relief goods and inspect the damage caused by Lando.  

With him were Secretaries Rogelio Singson (DPWH), Corazon “Dinky” Soliman (DSWD), Proceso Alcala (DA), Janette Garin (DOH), Zenaida Monsada (DOE), and Mel Sarmiento (DILG), as well as Senator Sonny Angara and Aurora Rep. Bella Angara-Castillo. —KBK, GMA News