Lawmakers want flood control policies assessed

MANILA – The House Committee on Metro Manila Development (MMD) and Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano on Thursday called for an immediate committee hearing to assess the massive flooding and extensive damage brought by the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat".

Valeriano said all the House representatives from Metro Manila are automatically members of the said Committee and are expected to actively participate to seek explanations from relevant government agencies during the hearing set on July 31.

The Department of Public Works and Highways and Metro Manila Development Authority officials will be invited to enlighten the House panel as to why the anti-flood control system in the metropolis failed to address the heavy rains brought by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

"Totoo po na record breaking ang rainfall na dinulot ng bagyong ito, subalit dapat ay may kahandaan na tayo sa ganito.(It's true that the rainfall due to this typhoon was record breaking but we should always be ready for this kind of situation)," Valeriano said in a statement.

"Expect the worst lagi, ika nga. Ang ating dapat na benchmark ay mga super typhoon na gaya ng Ondoy sa dami ng dalang ulan, at Yolanda, sa lakas ng hanging dala-dala(Always expect the worst, as the saying goes. Our benchmark must be super typhoon like Ondoy as to volume of rains and Yolanda as to the strong winds it brought)," he added.

Valeriano said the House Committee on MMD is duty-bound, among others, to craft policies and programs that will promote and enhance the development of Metro Manila.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is also expected to join the committee hearing.

"The ultimate solution is prevention," Valeriano said, citing pitiful condition of the Metro Manila residents ravaged by massive flooding.

Senators also sought review of the government's flood control policies despite the significant funds allocated to DPWH and MMDA to reduce flooding in Metro Manila.

"With Metro Manila now under a state of calamity and the government now working to address the damage wrought by Typhoon Carina, we should also work to determine why – over a decade after Typhoon Ondoy – chronic, severe flooding continues to afflict the nation's capital," Senate President Francis Escudero said.

Escudero said this repetitive cycle is a painful reality that cannot be accepted, particularly given the economic significance of Metro Manila and its role as the seat of government.

He also questioned the effectiveness of flood control measures and the use of the substantial budget allocated for these projects.

Approximately P255 billion was allocated for the DPWH's flood control projects in the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

Escudero said the Senate Committee on Public Works, chaired by Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., will conduct an inquiry to uncover the reasons behind the apparent inefficacy of the flood control projects despite the substantial funding.

He said the inquiry aims to assess the current state of the flood control systems and develop actionable solutions to ensure that the substantial investments in these projects yield the intended results – protecting communities from flooding and mitigating the impact of severe weather events.

Senator Nancy Binay said it is evident that the measures put up by the government after the Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009.

She said there is a growing demand to reevaluate current policies and programs of the concerned government agencies.

"Ang patuloy na reclamation sa Manila Bay ay mas lalo pang nagpabigat ng pagbaha sa (The continuous reclamation of Manila Bay further worsened flooding in) Metro Manila, turning what should have been a protective measure into a contributing factor to its vulnerability," Binay said. (PNA)