Noy visits MMDA pumping station to assess government flood measures

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino visited yesterday the pumping station of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Binondo to assess the government flood control measures in Metro Manila.

The President inspected the filtering section of the pumping station and had a briefing with MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino on how a pumping station works.

Aquino was accompanied by Tolentino and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim during his visit and suggested the full mechanization of the pumping station’s operations, eliminating manual removal of waste from the filtration facility.

Tolentino said they already have a proposal and costing for improving operations of the pumping stations in Metro Manila and told the President that the MMDA will put up another pumping station that would service Intramuros and nearby areas to prevent flooding.

Tolentino also mentioned to Aquino the flooding problem at the P. Tuazon underpass on EDSA in Cubao and the need for an effective drainage system.

The MMDA is currently coordinating with the Department of Science and Technology to come up with a more effective filtration and hauling system for quicker collection of garbage at pumping stations in Metro Manila.

According to MMDA, the causes of flooding in Metro Manila include rapid urbanization and development, clogging and siltation, structural obstructions, inadequate flood control structures and excessive and intense rainfall due to climate change.

Lim likewise raised the issue of informal settlers in Manila who would usually dump their garbage into creeks and esteros, exacerbating flooding. He noted that the informal settlers must be relocated to solve the flooding problem in the city.

According to Tolentino, the Metro Manila mayors, the MMDA, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo are set to meet to address the flooding problem in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano bared yesterday the alleged incompetence of the MMDA in handling the pumping stations in Taguig and some areas in Bulacan, which contributed to the heavy flooding that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces last week.

He said the MMDA failed to deliver on time some 28,000 liters of automotive diesel fuel amounting to P1.160 million or P 41.45 per litter for the Hagonoy Pumping Station.

Cayetano pinned the blame on MMDA assistant general manager for finance Edenison Fainsan for not acting on the request dated July 12 this year. 

Cayetano wanted to know where the MMDA’s gasoline supply went when as early as July 12 this year, the MMDA head office had received purchase requests for 28,000 liters from Hagonoy and Labasan. 

“It took 21 days to approve (on Aug. 2),” he said, adding that the gas supply was delivered two days after the onslaught of the rains.

“There was a chain reaction (with the failure of the pumping stations to operate),” the minority leader added.

Tolentino has ordered the relief of Baltazar Melgar, head of MMDA’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, engineers Michael Doce (pumping station and flood control head), Glen Miranda (of Wawa Pumping Station); Peter Macabenta (of Hagonoy PS); and Alfonso Oliver (of Labasan PS) from their posts.

‘Balik Probinsiya’ program pushed

Administration lawmakers backed President Aquino’s move to relocate informal settlers living along waterways and easements but said there must be programs to encourage them to remain in their new homes.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said the government should revive the “Balik Probinsiya” program to encourage informal settlers in Metro Manila to move back to their own provinces.

“The Balik Probinsiya program will help ease the resistance of those who will be relocated,” Evardone said.

He said informal settlers who will be affected by the clearing operations of waterways and easements should be given priority.

He said those who will avail of the program should be given free transportation allowance, start-up capital to enable them to start livelihood projects, “dislocation allowance” and agricultural and fishing equipment and tools.

The lawmaker said the families should be automatic members of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and their children given scholarships.

He said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Science and Technology should also provide them with livelihood training.

Relocated informal settlers should also be given priority in the DSWD’s core shelter program, as well as housing programs of the National Housing Authority and local government units, he said.

The lawmaker said the Department of the Interior and Local Government should mandate LGUs to provide counterpart programs to those who will be relocated to their areas.

- Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero