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Zero flooding in MM 2030- DPWH
By J.Lo
"Our aim is by 2030, Metro Manila is flood free…we believe it's doable," Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region South Manila district engineer Mikunug Macud said "target of DPWH and MMDA, our mandate is up to 2030... no more flood and no more ugly road…all will be good."
Flooding in Metro Manila during heavy rains may be thing of past in seven years, Macud said zero-flooding in Metro Manila by the year 2030.
He said drainages in Metro Manila are already old and either need repairs or replacements.
He also blamed undisciplined Filipinos for throwing garbage clog drainage systems, resulting in flooding during downpours.
"Difference in the past every time that there is rain, flood did not subside easily… took about six to 10 hours… creeks are being choked... drainage facilities are already old... if there are no garbage in our catch basin, in our manholes, drainage facilities will never be clogged," Macud told media.
Rains brought about by low-pressure area and monsoon inundated some parts of Metro Manila on July 13. Downpour submerged corner of Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue in Manila, rendering it impassable to light vehicles for hours.
Other parts of Metro Manila hit by flooding include Mandaluyong, San Juan, Navotas, Caloocan and Quezon City.
DPWH North Manila District Construction Division chief engineer Denryl Cortuna said agency is setting up retarding basin in Estero de Valencia to rid España Boulevard in Manila of flooding.
Retarding basins are low-lying areas of land, set aside to temporarily store storm water during heavy rain. Many basins are grassy areas that also provide recreational space for community when dry. Others hold water permanently, supporting biodiversity.
"We have an ongoing setting up of retarding basin in Estero de Valencia…hopefully, we will finish it by this year…we have cover dummy that we are doing in our retarding basin, so, those coming from upstream which is España, before it goes downstream, there is bottleneck in our pumping station… aim of our office is to have zero-flooding in España," Cortuna said.
DPWH started its investigation into cause of flooding occurred in Bicutan area of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) during heavy rains earlier this week.
Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has said expansion activities of mall clogged main drainage pipe near foot of SLEX entrance way in Bicutan, Parañaque caused floods triggered monstrous traffic.
In interview DPWH-NCR director Lorena Malaluan is set to meet with management of mall and Skyway O and M Corp. to identify cause of flooding and to thresh out plans to reach final solution.
"Mall has an expansion work there and it hit drainage output to creek from east to west…that is why there was clogging. .. reason why there is flooding in that area, which was not flood-prone area in the past," TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz told media.
He said they were expecting repair of drainage to be finished last week.
In statement, Skyway O and M Corp. said drainage problem was discovered last February, noting that they "have been in constant coordination with DPWH and other government and private sector stakeholders to find way to address issue together."
Malaluan said DPWH would look into allegations drainage was buried due to expansion works conducted by mall. She said only now she received report about clogged drainage caused by mall expansion.
It could take weeks to completely fix clogged drainage at SLEX as mall management asked for more time from DPWH, according to MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes.
It was first time Bicutan area of SLEX was inundated to point that no cars or trucks could pass through, Artes noted.
MMDA deployed four portable floating pumps to remove floodwater along SLEX.
Flooding at Bicutan brought vehicular traffic to near-standstill last July 13, with tail end of cars reportedly reaching as far as Sta. Rosa City in Laguna and Timog flyover. Both motorists and commuters suffered as long as five hours stuck in traffic.
Skyway O&M Corp. expressed their apologies to motorists affected by heavy flooding at Skyway At Grade (ground level) Bicutan in Parañaque City following moderate to heavy rains since Wednesday evening until today, resulting in heavy traffic on both directions of expressway.
Standstill traffic was experienced today at South Luzon Expressway southbound lane and nearby areas due to said flooding, phenomenon TRB attributed to drainage improvement works of nearby mall.
"Historically, this portion of Skyway System has remained flood-free and we have consistently strived to maintain smooth and reliable traffic flow for our valued users… maintenance teams conduct regular inspections at drainage system to remove all obstructions such as sludge and garbage, but over past few months, rise in floodwaters at carriageway has become evident …these incidents were primarily due to drainage system problem outside of Skyway system, which we traced in February this year, due to ongoing construction works in area unrelated to our operations and outside our direct control," according to Skyway operator.
Tail end of northbound traffic, on other hand, already reached SLEX Sta. Rosa City.
Motorists were reportedly incensed due to incident, with media reporters even experiencing over four hours of traffic in SLEX southbound.
Skyway O&M Corp. already in constant coordination with DPWH and other government and private sector stakeholders to find way to address problem.
"In fact, we lent some of our equipment to help drain floodwater faster and deployed our maintenance teams to siphon off water from carriageway, stakeholders in the area is also currently working on portion of affected drainage system within their property, with contractor committing to finish outfall this month, " they continued.
Company is hopeful corrective action will restore smooth flow of floodwaters to nearby creek and put an end to flooding at Skyway At-Grade Bicutan.
According to Office of Civil Defense, flooding situation at SLEX had already affected various cities due to torrential rains.
Metro Manila and various parts of the country is currently experincing heavy rains due to effects of low pressure area coupled with Southwest Moonsoon.
"Multiple areas in NCR particularly in cities along SLEX Alabang viaduct such as Taguig, Paranaque, Muntinlupa were affected," said OCD in statement.
Fortunately, no damages and casualties have been reported as of press time.
OFCD-NCR assures public of its continous monitoring while coordinating with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for updates.
MMDA have likewise already sent floating pumps to help reduce floodwater from SLEX that have been causing heavy traffic.
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