The local government of Malabon City launched its flood mitigation measures after the navigational gate of Malabon-Navotas malfunctioned on Sunday, June 23.
The city government said it had received reports about the navigational gate issue and subsequent flooding in several barangays in the city.
The city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) immediately deployed its personnel and activated the 24/7 monitoring equipment at the Command Communication Center. Early warning signs and flood monitoring devices were also activated.
The city government also provided several evacuation areas in the city for the residents as their temporary shelters.
Meanwhile, the city's Engineering Department already placed 1,840 sandbags along the firewalls in various barangay, including Barangay Dampalit Megadike, Pantihanl and Bonifacio in Barangay Flores, M. Blas and Gervacio in Barangay Hulong Duhat.
Sandbags were placed in Sacristia in Barangay San Agustin, Desierto in Barangay Tañong, and the Malabon Central Market to prevent water from entering these areas from the river.
The pumping stations in the city has also received their diesel to ensure their continuous operations amid the flooding in the areas.
Moreover, the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) conducted declogging operations on drainage systems and clean-up drives as part of the city’s flood mitigation measures.
Personnel of the city’s Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) also conducted an assessment to identify the needs of the residents affected by the flood, providing assistance while the navigational gates were under repair.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval reminded the residents to continually coordinate with the city government regarding the situation.
“Nauna na po nating pinaalalahanan ang ating mga mahal na Malabueño na manatiling kalmado, maging handa sa baha, at makipag-coordinate sa atin sa kabila ng hindi inaasahang pagkasira ng navigational gate noong nakaraang linggo. At patuloy po natin silang pinaalalahanan na makipag-ugnayan sa ating ngayong nakakaranas ng pagbaha sa ilang lugar sa ating lungsod na apektado ng high tide (We have already reminded our dear Malabueño residents to remain calm, be prepared for floods, and coordinate with us despite the unexpected breakdown of the navigational gate last week. We continue to remind them to coordinate with us if they are currently experiencing flooding in some areas of our city affected by high tide),” she said.
She also ensured the safety of the residents and immediately addressed the problem.
“Atin hong sisiguraduhin na ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan ay ligtas at ang problemang ito ay agaran nating binigyan ng aksyon upang mawala na ang pagbabaha habang patuloy na isinasaayos ang nasirang navigational gate (We will ensure that all our fellow citizens are safe and that this problem is immediately addressed to eliminate flooding while the damaged navigational gate is being repaired),” the mayor explained.
The local chief also added that the residents can reach out to the city government for any assistance they need.
The malfunction of the Malabon-Navotas River navigational gate was reported in early June, allegedly caused by a shipping boat passing through the waterway, the local government said.