With the rainy season expected in the coming months, several areas are once again preparing for possible flooding. In Cainta, Rizal, one of the long-term solutions being pushed by Mayor Kit Nieto is the monthly inspection and regular cleanup of major canals to ensure proper water flow and help prevent flooding.

According to him, they construct drainage systems in Cainta every year, which are funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), others by the provincial capitol, and some by the municipality itself.

However, despite the number of drainage projects, he asked, "Bakit bumabaha pa rin? (Why does flooding still continue?).”

“Nitong huling buwan, nag-focus ako sa A. Rodriguez Ave, Felix subdivision… gawa ito ng DPWH… pirmis pa ring lumulubog… pinabasag ko ang buong daanan ng tubig… para masukat ko ang lalim at macheck ang estado nito (Over the past month, I focused on A. Rodriguez Avenue in Felix Subdivision, a project constructed by the DPWH. Despite this, the area continues to experience flooding. I had the entire drainage canal broken open to measure its depth and assess its condition),” Nieto said.

During the inspection, they found a massive rock inside the canal, which he said was as large as an excavator bucket, along with a motorcycle tire and a car tire.

“Hindi ko maisip paano [ang mga] ito napunta sa loob (I cannot imagine how these ended up inside),” he said.

They also recovered old drainage covers that had not been removed, along with several tap water supply pipes placed in the drainage, which trapped debris and caused the canal to become blocked.

Nieto said that with all of these items recovered and the accumulated debris, the canal still overflowed despite its large size.

“Lahat ito kasama ang naipong burak ang nagpasara ng mga kanal. Malaki naman ang sukat ng kanal pero walang madaanan ang tubig ulan kaya apaw lagi ang tubig sa kalye ng Felix (All of these, along with the accumulated debris, blocked the canals. Despite the canal’s large size, rainwater could not pass through, causing streets in Felix Subdivision to frequently flood),” he said.

As a long-term solution to flooding, Nieto said they will conduct monthly inspections along with cleanup of major canals, and replace drainage covers with hinged ones of a size that allows people to enter for inspection and cleaning at any time.

The mayor also said that the spacing of drainage outlet covers will be reduced to remove any blockages, and strainers will be installed every five openings to collect accumulated debris.

In addition, Nieto said they will notify a water company to relocate the pipes that are currently running through the canals in Cainta.

“Imbes na bagong drainage na naman, yung paglilinis lang at pagpalit ng mga takip ang gastos ng gobyerno. Gagana na ito… mas permanenteng solusyon (Instead of building new drainage systems, the government’s spending will focus on cleaning and replacing the drainage covers. This approach will work and provide a more permanent solution),” he said.