MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said Metro Manila has already exceeded its carrying capacity, contributing to the recent severe flooding during the onslaught of southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, and typhoon Carina. 

DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral said the government has built infrastructures to mitigate flooding, but overpopulation is clogging waterways. 

“Malaki na po ‘yong population compared sa carrying capacity ng NCR. Wala na tayong lugar. At ang tubig po, talagang maghahanap ng dadaluyan ‘yan,” Cabrol told reporters in a media briefing in Quezon City. 

Metro Manila has 14.9 million people, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. 

The DPWH official said that, as of 2024, the government has implemented over 600 flood control projects aimed at mitigating such disasters.

Cabral said the DPWH is actively assisting in the relocation of informal settlers to alleviate congestion in the National Capital Region. This is part of a broader strategy to improve urban planning and reduce the risk of flooding in the region. 

“Marami hong portion ng Metro Manila na kung hindi po naming nagawa ‘yong mga intervention namin eh baka po mas malala pa [ang pagbaha],” she said. 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy also said urban development has left little room for water absorption in NCR, exacerbating the flooding issue. 

“’Yong ating urban development, hindi maayos. Nawawalan na po tayo ng mga natural areas kung saan ‘yong ating mga flood waters po ay maa-absorb,” she said. 

“Hindi tayo puwedeng basta-basta maga-attribute ng lahat ng problema natin dahil sa climate change, ‘yong attribution puwede rin sa poverty, sa unplanned development,” Uy added. 

Meanwhile, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Procopio Lipana attributed part of the flooding to improper waste disposal by the public. 

“It’s very unfortunate kasi kalat nang ‘yong ating mga kababayan,” he said. 

Lipana is pushing for the incineration of garbage as a potential solution, although he acknowledged the significant operational costs associated with this approach.