Marikina LGU improves flood control infrastructure after 'Florita'
Just two days after the Marikina River water level was raised to the first alarm due to tropical storm "Florita," the Marikina City local government unit (LGU) began constructing additional reinforcements to improve its flood control system.
"Hangad ni Mayor Marcy ang kapanatagan ng kalooban ng mga taga-Marikina kaya kanyang tagubilin ang pagpapaigting ng flood control program kung saan nakapaloob ang drainage improvement projects at regular dredging activities sa buong kalungsuran (To give Marikina residents peace of mind, Mayor Marcy ordered the strengthening of the flood control program that covers the drainage improvement projects and regular dredging activities in the whole city)," read the statement released by the Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) on Thursday, Aug. 25.
On Thursday, the local government installed more concrete pipes on the roads in areas near the river.
The pipes will be able to help rainwater flow faster to the river, said the LGU.
Dredging
The pipes complement the local government's ongoing rehabilitation operations of the river.
The Marikina River Restoration Project (MRRP), through Task Force Build Back Better (TF BBB), involves multi-sectoral cooperation between national bodies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The Marikina River is being dredged and widened regularly in order to increase its water-carrying capacity. It also serves as a "critical intervention" to address the perennial flooding program in Marikina City and other cities around the river.
Six backhoes with excavators simultaneously dig in the river near Barangay Tumana and along Marikina River Park to remove the deposited soil, mud, sand, and other materials that the water carried all the way from the mountains.
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro said they have observed noticeable improvements brought by their projects as they monitored the Marikina River water level at the height of Florita's downpour.
"Dahil nag-dredging sa Marikina River nitong mga nakaraang buwan, 'yung water velocity ay nag-improve (Due to our dredging operations in Marikina River these past months, the water velocity improved)," said Teodoro in an interview with Teleradyo on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
The Marikina River reached 15 meters at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, prompting authorities to raise the first alarm.
Despite the rise in water level, no flooding was reported in the city, according to the PIO.
Some 93 families were preemptively evacuated to three evacuation sites on Tuesday night. They returned to their homes at 7:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, as the water subsided and returned to normal level below 15 meters.
Other waterways
Just as important as the Marikina River itself are cleaning of smaller waterways within the city. These operations are regularly done, and intensified during typhoon season.
Compact versions of long-arm backhoes and dump trucks that can enter narrow streets and smaller spaces are used to dredge and widen creeks to prevent water overflow that may cause flooding.
Roads and streets are also cleared to ensure no mud, soil, or garbage are clogging the city's sewage and drainages.
Some of their recent waterway projects in June to July 2022 highlighted by the local government included the Lilac Creek in Barangay Concepcion Dos, the Balanti Creek located at the Katipunan Extension corner Sumulong Highway in Barangay Sto. Niño, and the Angel Santos Creek in Barangay Tumana.
The rehabilitation of these creeks also involved stabilizing the infrastructure surrounding the creek itself, making them firm enough to withstand erosion or degradation, and prevent pollutants from contaminating the water.
The local government aims to also regularly maintain the creeks.