SENATORS agreed that a master flood control plan was imperative after floods brought by a typhoon-induced southwest monsoon submerged most of the National Capital Region (NCR) last week.
In a joint Senate committee hearing on public works, environment, natural resources and climate change, Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. said concrete action must be taken rather than repeatedly blame factors contributing to severe floodings, such as garbage accumulation, blocked drainage systems, inadequate urban planning, and the effects of climate change.
DPWH Sec Manuel Bonoan, with MMDA Chairman Romando Artes meets at a 2nd Public Hearing of Senate Committee Public Works joint with the Committees on Environmemnt, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance. PHOTO BY RENE H DILAN
Revilla added that the problem persisted despite the fact that the government has allocated more than P1 trillion to various flood control projects for the past 10 years.
Majority Leader Sen. Francis Tolentino said the National Land Use Zoning Act would be useful in creating a master plan for flood control in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, noting the endeavor needs interagency effort.
“We will be tackling intrinsic management skills, but that is not the aim of this hearing. This hearing should be able to produce vital, legal changes that would ensure effective collaboration among various agencies,” Tolentino said.
“We have to look forward. Ultimately, this hearing should produce a collective focus among agencies. What we need is collaboration. The Filipino people deserve nothing less. The people need to see how we prepare and resolve the problem brought by typhoons,” he added.
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Photo of a flood control gate and pumping station along C6 road in Taguig City taken on Aug. 1, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited the outmoded and insufficient drainages and limited budget for flood control projects as reasons behind the massive flooding in Metro Manila brought by typhoon ‘Carina’ and the southwest monsoon. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Sen. Joel Villanueva said he did not see any change despite the huge budget for flood control projects, particularly in his home town in Bulacan.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted that current flood control measures were “patchy” and inadequate.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the more than 5,500 flood control projects mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his last State of the Nation Address were meant for immediate relief only.
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Students ride in a boat crossing the Pasig River to school at Barangay Napindan, Taguig City on Aug. 1, 2024. Students pay P5 per ride. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Bonoan said no dredging and desilting operations had been done in the main rivers for many years.
“This is supposed to be the reason the river beds are already silted or shallow, so they overflow when it rains and cause flooding,” he added.
Sen. Imee Marcos said it appears that flood control projects were patchy and piecemeal because the DPWH lacks planning, determination and transparency.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes meet at a second public hearing by the Senate Committees on Public Works with the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Services and Finance on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
She said that as early as 2012, P351 billion was allocated and approved for long-term flood management plans to solve flooding in the NCR.
“Does this exist? Do we have a master plan… Until today, we have no answer concerning this master plan,” Marcos said.
“We wonder. With the billions that our Congress and our Senate put aside, we did not fail to put a budget there. What I’m asking is, where did the money go? Why is this our situation until now?” Marcos added.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) attributed the worsening floods in the NCR to outmoded and insufficient drainages.
WITH FRANCIS EARL CUETO
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