Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday, Aug. 7, said the local government is eyeing the dredging of San Agustin Creek after flash floods were reported along Urbano Velasco and nearby streets when the creek’s water level rose above the drainage lines on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

“Yesterday, the water level in San Agustin Creek went up to higher than the level of our streets/drainage lines… Kaya hindi makalabas ang tubig (That is why the water could not flow out),” Sotto said.

He explained this as one of the main causes of flooding along Urbano Velasco and nearby areas, including the Mega Market, Caliwag, Esguerra, and Acacia.

“Kahit na passable pa rin at mabilis naman humupa, nakakaabala pa rin ito, lalo na sa mga naglalakad (Even though the area remained passable and the water subsided quickly, it still caused inconvenience, especially for pedestrians),” he added.

He said there is a need to deepen the creek to help manage the water levels.

“Mukhang kailangan nang palalimin ang San Agustin Creek. Nagpapagawa ako sa Engineering ng proposal para sa dredging nito, pero pinatitingnan ko rin muna kasi baka may proyekto din ang nasyonal dito (It seems we now need to deepen San Agustin Creek. I’ve asked the Engineering Office to prepare a proposal for its dredging, but I’m also having it checked first in case there’s already a national project planned for the area),” he noted.

While the city is still studying the possibility of dredging the creek, Sotto said the local government will continue infrastructure work along Urbano Velasco to address drainage issues. He noted that a portion of the sidewalk and drainage system was completed last December, and the city plans to extend this further.

He added that the sidewalk and drainage system along Urbano Velasco will also be constructed starting from Acacia. However, he emphasized that drainage lines alone would not be enough, as they will eventually fill up.

To support the system, the mayor said a pumping station in Acacia is under construction, currently 50 percent completed in civil works and 80 percent overall. He noted that although the project faced contractor-related delays, the issue has since been resolved and two portable pumps have been temporarily installed.

He said they are also coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to activate its own pumping station in the area.

“May pinadala na silang (MMDA) tao rito kanina... sumisid pa nga sila para tingnan o linisin ang debris sa kanilang submersible pump (The MMDA already sent people here earlier, they even dove into the water to check or clean the debris from their submersible pump),” Sotto said.

He advised residents who were exposed to floodwater to see a doctor if needed.

He said doxycycline is available, especially for those with wounds, but reminded the public that it should not be taken without proper advice and is not for young children.