Revilla urges DPWH, MMDA to act on flooding in Metro Manila
Published Jul 13, 2023 08:02 am
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, on Thursday, July 13, urged the leadership of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately act on the flooding of roads in the Metro.
Revilla said there is a need to identify factors contributing to the quick and sudden flooding of areas in the Metro which were not easily flooded before, so that it can be acted upon immediately.
Revilla recalled that the DPWH, through Secretary Manuel Bonoan, announced during a committee hearing last March 8, 2023 that they are more than prepared and ready for the coming rains.
Bonoan specifically said their pumping stations in the National Capital Region (NCR) have “100 percent” capacity to handle the rainy season, Revilla recalled.
He called on the these two agencies to act fast after different parts of Metro Manila were again engulfed with floods that caused heavy traffic congestion.
Small vehicles were not able to pass several roads and highways.
“Hinahanap kasi ng mga tao ‘yung sinasabi ng DPWH na kabuuang 13,224 flood control structures na inihanda nila sa buong bansa (The people are looking for results after the DPWH had said they have 13,224 flood control structures prepared for the whole country). Hindi na dapat kasi nangyayari ang ganitong problema kaya dapat ayusin sa lalong madaling panahon (What happened yesterday should not have happened), ”Revilla lamented.
South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) experienced the worst scenario after the heavy rains and flooding caused standstill traffic from Laguna to Crossing, EDSA.
The standstill was due to the rapid flooding of low lying portions of the road, worsened by the suspected clogging of drains where water should be flowing freely in case of floods brought about by heavy rains.
It was reported that many commuters and motorists traveling from the provinces going to Manila decided to have their meals inside the vehicles because they are already starving, while some chose just to walk to get to EDSA because of the heavy traffic.
Revilla expressed his concern over the welfare of the motorists who repeatedly experience this sad scenario every time rainy season ushers in.
He said an active low pressure area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon are expected to cause flooding in different parts of the county, including the Metro Manila area.