Master Plan to Resolve 70% of Metro Manila's Flooding Issues

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced on Tuesday that the government's Comprehensive Flood Management Master Plan is expected to address at least 70 percent of Metro Manila's flooding problems once fully implemented.

During a briefing in Malacañang, Bonoan highlighted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently undertaking significant engineering interventions to tackle the recurring issue of severe flooding in the National Capital Region, which was recently exacerbated by Typhoon Carina and the heavy rains it brought.

"We believe that by addressing the drainage systems and related issues, we can alleviate 70 to 80 percent of the flooding problems in Metro Manila," Bonoan said. "We are actively working on implementing all necessary flood control projects to mitigate the flooding in various parts of the country."

The master plan, initially developed during the Aquino administration, is currently less than 30 percent complete, Bonoan noted. However, the current administration is committed to executing the various components of this blueprint.

"This is the master plan we are implementing. The components outlined in the plan remain in place," Bonoan stated.

Key projects include the proposed Marikina Dam, to be constructed above the Wawa Dam and the Manggahan Flood Control Gate, both of which aim to capture floodwaters from upstream to prevent the inundation of low-lying areas in the NCR during the monsoon season.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the DPWH to consider not only the flow of floodwaters but also the initial impounding of floodwaters in watershed areas, which Bonoan identified as a crucial component to address. "This solution will slow down the flow of floodwaters to low-lying areas," he explained.

Bonoan also urged the public to contribute to the solution by practicing proper waste management. "Seventy percent of Metro Manila's drainage systems are clogged with silt and trash. They need to be cleared and rehabilitated," he emphasized. "In areas affected by floods, a significant amount of trash was left behind, even in pumping stations."

On Monday, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) stressed the need for comprehensive plans to mitigate flooding while also addressing water scarcity. "We must implement the necessary engineering infrastructure to manage floods during the rainy season and provide water during droughts, or we will continue to face significant damage and complaints," said OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno. "These solutions must be comprehensive and long-term."

Additionally, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) clarified on Tuesday that the recent flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces was due to "inland flooding" and not caused by reclamation projects. In a statement, the PRA pointed out that inland flooding has been a persistent problem even before the reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Factors such as the Marikina River, Laguna de Bay, Napindan Channel, Manggahan Spillway, heavily silted esteros, outdated pumps in pumping stations, informal settlers along waterways, and improper disposal of non-biodegradable waste have all been identified as causes of inland flooding.