The Quezon City government has engaged 142 barangays in the implementation of the “Tanggal Bara, Iwas Baha” initiative.
City Mayor Joy Belmonte has directed these barangays to focus on the cleaning of obstructed drainage systems, sewers, street inlets, manholes, and interceptors.
“The city government cannot accomplish this task alone; we require the support of our communities, led by our barangay councils, to alleviate rainwater overflow and flooding in our streets,” stated the Mayor.
She further emphasized that “this can be realized through the consistent maintenance of drainage systems within their respective areas.”
The barangays particularly vulnerable to flooding, including Del Monte, Masambong, Bagong Silangan, Dona Imelda, Roxas, Tatalon, and Apolonio Samson, experienced significant challenges during the recent impacts of Habagat and Typhoon Carina.
Through the “Tanggal Bara, Iwas Baha” program, it is anticipated that, despite the increased rainfall associated with climate change, floodwaters in these regions will diminish more rapidly.
This program is a collaborative effort involving the QC Department of Engineering (QCDE), the Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD), and the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC).
According to data from the Engineering Department, from January to September 2024, the city has carried out 647 de-clogging operations, resulting in the collection of sludge sufficient to fill 50 garbage trucks.