Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. has vowed to assist Marikina City with its dredging activities and repairs of dikes damaged by the recent typhoon.
The newly-appointed MMDA chief and his staff met with Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and other city officials at the city hall on Thursday.
Abalos has been visiting local governments in the metropolis to assess the needs in their respective areas and to have better coordination with the MMDA.
“The MMDA promised to assist the city in its dredging operations that aim to increase the water carrying capacity of Marikina River and prevent future flooding,” Teodoro said in a statement Thursday.
“MMDA Chairman Abalos also vowed to help Marikina City in restoring the dikes in Provident Village which were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Ulysses,’” he added.
Teodoro has expressed gratitude to the MMDA for helping the city before and after the devastation of Typhoon Ulysses, saying the agency helped Marikina in its massive clearing and cleaning operation.
According to Abalos, dredging activities are also part of MMDA's programs, which is in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Meanwhile, Abalos lauded Teodoro for leading Marikina’s pandemic response by building its own molecular diagnostics laboratory to detect those infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The MMDA chairman also revealed that the agency plans to expand the operations of the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS), and build a ferry terminal along Marikina River.