In the wake of the widespread floods in Cagayan and Isabela caused by rains from a series of storms and typhoons¸ a number of projects have been proposed by various sectors, including dredging of the Cagayan River, construction of a temporary embankment, and reforestation of the surrounding forests.
The same series of storms and typhoons caused unexpectedly heavy flooding in Metro Manila, particularly in Marikina, which is said to be the catch basin of the area. Marikina has long suffered from floods and all eyes are on the flood level marks on the Marikina Bridge every time it rains.
The Department of Public Works and Highways said a ₱28-billon 24-meter-high megadike is now under construction to help solve the flooding in Marikina but it will not be completed within President Duterte’s term. On the other side of the megadike is another project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to increase the flood capacity of the Marikina River.
Two other flood-prone areas in Metro Manila – Malabon and Navotas – unexpectedly withstood the recent heavy rains. Pumping stations installed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) managed to keep floodwaters from rising in the channels leading to the Tullahan River.
In the Tullahan River itself there was no water overflow. The river has been dredged, its mouth to the Manila Bay deepened by five meters as part of the dredging of the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system by San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
The positive development in the Tullahan-Tenejeros river system shows the importance of multiple, long-term, and complementing flood mitigation measures, SMC President Ramon S. Ang said.
A few more storms are expected to come before the year ends. We hope none of them will be as destructive as typhoon “Ulysses” which dumped a great deal of rain on Northern and Central Luzon as well as Metro Manila. This should be a good time to check on various projects being carried out to see where additional steps need to be taken to avert flooding.
We must also not forget the many other programs for Manila Bay, the Pasig River, and the hundreds of streams all over Metro Manila, notably the efforts to end pollution from inadequate sewage systems and efforts to develop an effective water transport system for the region. A separate agency focusing on these and other water problems may be best for Metro Manila.