Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Wednesday, Dec. 10, pressed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to meet its new commitment to install emergency stop logs within two weeks and complete full repairs of the damaged Paco Floodgate by March 2026, saying residents have already endured weeks of flooding during every high tide.

Domagoso issued the call during an inspection of the Paco Pumping Station with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes.

He noted that the national government must now operate “within a clear timeline,” after its earlier promise to resolve the issue within three weeks lapsed without visible improvement.

“Kawawa naman ‘yung mga kapitbahay namin doon (Those neighbors of ours are pitiful),” Domagoso said, emphasizing that water continued to rise in Paco even without rainfall.

Domagoso recalled visiting Quirino Highway and the San Andres area three weeks earlier to check dredging operations aimed at deepening the riverside channel and easing water backflow.

Despite DPWH’s earlier assurances, residents continued to experience rising water levels.

Domagoso added that stagnant water has caused mosquito problems and daily disruptions for families living along the affected stretch.

Still, he welcomed the national agencies’ updated intervention plan, presented on-site by DPWH engineers and Korean consultants.

Under the revised timeline, four steel stop logs will be installed over the next two weeks to prevent river water from rushing into Paco during high tide along the Pasig River.

“At least may Day 1 na,” the Mayor said, adding that the temporary barrier should “limit the backflow” while permanent reconstruction of the floodgate proceeds.

“In the next two weeks, baka bumaba na ‘yung tubig, and by March wala na tayong problema (The water might go down in the next two weeks, and by March we won’t have any more problems).”

MMDA Chairman Artes confirmed that Paco had been experiencing flooding during every high tide from Dec. 1 to 11, with water spilling onto streets and into homes.

He explained that while the stop logs will block inflow from the Pasig River, the pumping station will handle inland water coming from the community.

Domagoso stressed that government agencies must deliver consistently and transparently on the updated schedule. He vowed to continue making unannounced inspections and to hold implementing units accountable for any delays.

“Pag nakita ko walang ginagawa, irereport ko. Buhay ng tao ang pinag-uusapan natin (If I see that nothing is being done, I will report it. We are talking about people’s lives here),” he said.

Artes assured the city that agencies will coordinate closely until conditions stabilize in Paco, especially with the Christmas season approaching.