Solon wants MMDA to fast-track flood control measures

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been asked to fast-track its flood control measures in preparation for the rainy season.

The MMDA is urged to have its flood control measures in place

Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde urged the MMDA to ensure that flood control programs or measures are in place as early as now. This is to prevent flooding in the National Capital Region (NCR) as well as to avoid a catastrophe similar to Tropical Storm Ondoy that paralyzed Metro Manila back in 2009. 

“Let’s not wait for another Ondoy flooding tragedy to happen again in Metro Manila,” Atayde said.

To put things in perspective, there are nearly 50 areas classified by the MMDA as flood-prone in NCR. The city of Manila tops the list with a total of 16 flood-prone areas that include Vito Cruz LRT, Quirino – Taft, UN Taft, and Padre Faura, among others.

Despite the flood-prone areas released by the MMDA, Atayde is encouraging the agency to identify more areas that would need flood control. This is to allow the MMDA to implement the necessary flood control measures before the rainy season starts.  

Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde

The MMDA “should continue working on identifying more flooded areas so that they can put in place flood mitigation measures before the wet season starts and typhoons bring about extraordinary rainfall,” Atayde noted.

Atayde also raised the idea of appointing a “flooding czar” who will monitor and oversee flood control projects in Metro Manila. The lawmaker initially proposed the idea last November 2022 during his privilege speech. 

The flooding czar will also function as the point person who will ensure proper coordination between the concerned government agencies in regard to flood control projects.  

“By designating a “Flooding Czar” in the Cabinet, someone will be primarily responsible for ensuring proper coordination between the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and NCR’s various local governments with regard to flood control projects,” Atayde said.

The MMDA conducting a meeting about its flood management project

Meanwhile, it was also last November 2022 wherein MMDA officials conducted meetings and site inspections as part of its Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP). 

The MMDA together with the officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) visited the Vitas Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila to conduct a site inspection of the MMDA’s Solid Waste Granulator (SWG) and Brick Making Facility. This facility is where solid waste is converted to by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials.

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