Monday, July 21, 2008 MMDA snubs disbelievers of flood control project
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shrugged off criticisms of some sectors on the agency's alleged failure to solve flooding in the metropolis.
MMDA expressed optimism that the completion of several flood control infrastructures in the coming weeks will help reduce flooding by as much as 80 percent.
MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said they are expecting the completion of the Abucay pumping station, which would help lessen flooding in Manila, particularly the low-lying areas in Sampaloc, España and Dapitan.
"We expect flooding to lessen by as much as 80 percent in these areas once the Abucay pumping station is completed and fully operational," Fernando said, adding that the facility is scheduled to be completed within two weeks from now.
Also, the agency is awaiting the completion of the P5-billion Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) Flood Control and Mega-Dike Project currently being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Once completed, the infrastructures (pumping stations, floodgates and dikes), which form part of the mega-dike project, will be turned over to the MMDA.
Earlier, Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez called on Fernando to vacate his post for allegedly failing to control flooding in the metropolis.
Golez also called on the House Committee on Metro Manila to investigate the multi-billion-peso flood control projects of the MMDA, which allegedly failed to curb floods.
He also said Fernando failed to make good on his earlier pledge to make Metro Manila a "flood-free" zone this year.
Golez was joined by Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan, Vincent Crisologo of Quezon City and Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valenzuela who said they want the MMDA to explain where the agency's funds for the flood control projects had gone since the metropolis still suffers from constant flooding.
But Fernando said he has no plans of resigning even as he dared his critics to show proof that the MMDA has at least P1 billion as its budget for flood control.
"What multi-billion peso funds is he talking about? Give us the data," Fernando said as he denied making any promise to turn Metro Manila into a flood-free zone this year.
He said the MMDA has an allocation of only P200 million to build and operate pumping stations, which are crucial for flood control, and to pay the salaries of about 1,000 flood-control personnel.
To back up his statement that flooding actually lessened, Fernando cited figures from the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Office, showing that the agency has made great strides in flood-control efforts since 2002 when flood control programs and sewerage management were turned over from the DPWH.
Previously, there had been massive areas in Metro Manila that used to be under water during heavy downpour, with 7,262 hectares of land flooded in 2003.
It was, however, cut down to just 6,700 hectares in the following year.
Before the implementation of flood control programs have been given to the MMDA, a total of 13,100 hectares, equivalent to five cities had been flood-prone.
Also because of the continuous implementation of such programs, Fernando said many streets and roads in Metro Manila that were usually impassable during heavy rains, are now accessible to most vehicles.
Aside from these physical improvements, the MMDA chairman said the agency has also been conducting a year-round cleanup of waterways, canals and gutters as part of their anti-flood control efforts.
An information campaign has also been mounted with the help of local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs), especially for those who are living near waterways and other areas classified as "danger-zones" or flood-prone.
Fernando said informal settlers or "squatters" living near waterways is the major culprit that aggravates flooding due to their lack of discipline when it comes to garbage disposal. (AH/Sunnex)
