Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “WES” Gatchalian has unveiled a series of major flood control projects aimed at solving the city’s long-standing flooding issues.

The announcement was made during the first Valenzuela International Progress Summit and Industry Awarding Ceremony held at the ALERT Multi-purpose Hall on Thursday, July 31.

Gatchalian said the city government is taking a comprehensive approach to mitigate flooding, especially after the recent devastation brought by the southwest monsoon and typhoons “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong.”

“Rains and floods have brought sufferings to our city and alam ko, naging mabigat ito sa ating mga industries and to every Valenzuelaño

“This is why we have come up with solutions to address our problem in flooding,” Gatchalian added. 

He said that nearly 80 percent of Valenzuela’s 33 barangays were submerged in floodwaters, marking one of the worst flooding incidents in the city’s history.

“Out of 33 barangays, first time nangyari ito, 80 percent nalubog sa baha (This is the first time that 80 percent of our barangays went underwater),” Gatchalian said.

Another major component is the construction of the Dalandanan Water Catchment Basin, a first-of-its-kind facility in the city. 

Spanning two kilometers and reaching a depth of 5.6 meters, the 780-meter-long basin will be built along McArthur Highway, a major commercial and transportation artery.

“Why built this at McArthur Highway? It is because we need to reopen our major thoroughfares within one to two days after heavy rains to facilitate the movement of goods and people, and of course, mabalik agad sa normal ang operations ng mga business establishments, and for people to go back to work,” the mayor said. 

Aside from infrastructure, the local government will intensify its efforts to unclog drainage systems and waterways through regular dredging and desilting. 

A partnership with NLEX Corporation is also in the pipeline to establish a joint flood control project under a public-private partnership scheme.

To support long-term planning, the city government will update its outdated Urban Planning Drainage Master Plan. 

The city has sought assistance from the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute, which will help develop a modern master plan that considers urban expansion, population growth, and climate change.

“Next week, I will be meeting with UP Resilience Institute to discuss this new drainage master plan,” Gatchalian said. 

The UP Resilience Institute is known for its role in developing Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)—a pioneering disaster risk reduction platform in the country.

“As we acknowledge that flooding is a regional and systematic issue that crosses cities’ boundaries that requires multi-sectoral and inter-LGU solutions, we as a city remain committed to doing our part by making meaningful local improvements, strengthening our climate resilience, and upgrading our drainage systems and infrastructures,” the mayor said.