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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Pumanatag kayo: Mayor Isko says Manila gov't prepared for Opong

Pumanatag kayo: Mayor Isko says Manila gov't prepared for Opong

Published Sep 26, 2025 12:43 pm  |  Updated Sep 26, 2025 01:10 pm
Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Director Arnel Angeles keeps a close watch on the movement of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” at the MDRRMO Command, Communication and Control Center at the Manila City Hall on Friday, Sept. 26. (Photo by Mark Balmores)
Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Director Arnel Angeles keeps a close watch on the movement of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” at the MDRRMO Command, Communication and Control Center at the Manila City Hall on Friday, Sept. 26. (Photo by Mark Balmores)
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Friday, Sept. 26, allayed fears of Manileños about the possible effects of typhoon 'Opong' as he assured them of the city government's preparedness for any emergency that may arise.
During a situation briefing at the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO ) Command, Communication and Control Center at the City Hall, Domagoso said all concerned government agencies, personnel, and equipment were placed on heightened alert and on 24/7 monitoring as the typhoon comes close to the National Capital Region (NCR). It is forecasted to intensify until Saturday.
Citing reports from the MCDRRMO, Domagoso said no major thoroughfares are flooded, but assured the public that the city is closely monitoring high-risk areas during high tide.
MCDRRMO Director Arnel Angeles noted that high tide is expected at 1:12 p.m. with a height of 0.52 meters, identifying Barangay 598 (Damka, Santa Mesa along the San Juan Riverbanks), Barangay 20 (Isla Puting Bato), and Barangay 275 (Parola) as high-risk areas.
On evacuation protocols, the mayor said the city will implement “involuntary evacuation” should it become necessary.
He also underscored the importance of the regular declogging operations by the city government and even barangays to mitigate flooding in the city.
“Since July 1, kahit baha, pinapa-declog ko pa rin. At the same time, based on that EO, ‘yung 896 barangays, inaatasan natin na tuwing Saturday, mag-declog sila ng kani-kanilang canal. Kami naman sa Maynila, araw-araw (Since July 1, even though there is flooding, I still instruct our personnel to conduct declogging operations. At the same time, based on that EO, we are instructing the 896 barangays to declog their canals every Saturday, while us in the city government do it daily)," Domagoso explained, noting that significant volumes of sand and asphalt had already been removed from the drainage system.
He said the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) has already deployed social workers to the city's 26 evacuation sites while hot meals have been prepositioned at the agency's district offices.
“As of the moment, wala naman pong laman (ang mga evacuation centers), but the MDSW, thru Dir. Jay Dela Fuente, has ordered yesterday hot meals kapag may mga evacuees na (As of the moment, there are no people (in the evacuation centers), but the MDSW, through Dir. Jay Dela Fuente, has ordered hot meals yesterday when there are evacuees)," Domagoso said.
Sunog Apog Pumping Station
Asked about the current developments regarding the city's pumping stations, particularly the Sunog Apog Pumping Station located in Tondo that has been  breaking down and, at times, worsening the flooding situation in the city, Domagoso said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is already determining the needed repairs for it and how much it costs to finally fix the facility.
"It is being investigated now by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) and the DPWH. Hopefully sa effort ni Sec. Vince Dizon na ipasiyasat at ipakonsulta sa third-party para once and for all, malaman kung magkano paba ang kakailanganin at ano ba ang dapat gawin, physical strucure ba or the mechanism (It is being investigated now by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) and the DPWH. Hopefully, with the effort of Sec. Vince Dizon to investigate and consult with a third-party to once and for all, know how much more will be needed and what should be done, whether it is a physical structure or the mechanism, to fix the facility)," he explained.
"Hopefully in the coming months, mapatakbo na yung walong taon na hindi tumatakbong pumping station once and for all (Hopefully in the coming months, the pumping station that has not been running for eight years will be operational once and for all)," he added.
According to the mayor, the P774 million project that started in 2017 and was completed in 2020 was designed as part of the DPWH's flood control plan to ease flooding in low-lying areas of Manila, including Sampaloc, España, Rizal Avenue, and Maria Clara.
But instead of mitigating the floods in the Capital City, the pumping station was said to further aggravate the flooding situation with its constant breakdowns during the rainy season.

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