Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Wednesday, July 23, rued the years of neglect and the absence of desiltation which may have been the major factors why the city has been suffering from flooding.

Domagoso said this as he led an early morning inspection of the city's drainage system, starting with the opening of manholes along Taft Avenue.

The operation revealed years of neglect, with canals clogged by thick sludge, trash, and even vehicle parts.

Clearing efforts forced the partial closure of Taft Avenue as personnel from the Department of Public Services (DPS), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) continued the desilting operations.

The officials reported that floodwaters carried no floating garbage, which they attributed to the sustained hauling and collection of waste in the past few weeks.

Authorities view this as an early sign that the cleanup is helping mitigate the impact of flooding.

As part of flood control efforts, Domagoso is calling on the public to refrain from placing garbage on the streets for collection during heavy rains to prevent it from being washed into the drainage system.

For long-term solutions, Domagoso said he will be focusing on the regular dredging of creeks and rivers, continuous declogging of drainage lines, and the development of large-scale water retention or detention tanks.

Plans also include repairing and upgrading seawalls, river walls, and canals, and ensuring these are supported by properly functioning pumping stations.

He said the city government is committed to expanding operations to other major roads and flood-prone areas in the coming weeks, as Manila braces for the peak of the rainy season.

Domagoso also inspected the situation at Arranque Market in Sta. Cruz, where floodwaters were still being pumped out. The area, known to be flood-prone, is among the city government's priority sites for ongoing drainage and pumping system improvements.