Motorists are caught in standstill traffic along EDSA Munoz due to high flood waters as the typhoon Carina-enhanced habagat batters the capital region. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday blamed insufficient drainage system and improper waste management practices for the widespread flooding that recently hit Metro Manila during the monsoon rains enhanced by typhoon Carina.  

MMDA Chair Romando Artes said current efforts to address flooding include the rehabilitation and construction of pumping stations, installation of trash traps along waterways, dredging, desilting, and declogging of drainage systems, as well as removal of silts and solid wastes.

But Artes said improper disposal of waste contributed to the “vicious cycle” of perennial flooding.

Death toll due to Carina, Butchoy, habagat rises to 39: NDRRMC

“Kahit po maglinis kami nang maglinis ng mga esteros kung tuloy-tuloy naman po ang pagtatapon ng basura, pabalik-balik lang po. Nagiging vicious cycle po sya, lilinisin namin tatapunan, lilinisin namin tatapunan,” Artes said at the hearing of the House committee on Metro Manila Development.  

MMDA’s proposals include the formulation of a 50-year drainage master plan, construction of flood tunnels and small water impounding projects, construction of an additional Malabon Navotas floodgate, provision of a direct outlet of waters to Manila Bay for Valenzuela, and the relocation of informal settlers living along waterways and easements that “contribute to the accumulation of obstacles that disrupt the natural flow of water.”

Artes said the repair of the Malabon Navotas river navigational gate that was damaged by a barge last June would take about one to two months.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren complained to the DPWH about the poor quality and construction of retaining walls along creeks in various flood prone districts. He said the walls tightened the waterway and were easily damaged which consequently led to the overflow of flood water.

Devastated by floods, Manila residents forced to 'start from scratch'

DPWH-Metro Manila Maintenance Division OIC Josel Bolivar assured Pumaren that study was made and quality was ensured. The lawmaker told the DPWH to review the performance of the contractors concerned, and check and ensure the soundness of the construction.

“Yung pinakita kong mga retaining wall na ginawa natin sa creek, nakita niyo ba kung gaano kanipis? 'Di lang manipis, parang walang bakal, parang papel. So ano ang p'wede natin gawin natin dyan? Are we gonna review kung sino man ang mga contractor dyan? Tapos did we really study 'yung creek na ganito kalaki, nilagyan mo ng retaining wall, ganito na kalaki yan, ang tendency is mag ooverflow na yan,” Pumaren said.

Bolivar replied: “Napag-aralan naman ng aming district engineering office 'yan kaya naglagay sila ng retaining wall to protect yung mga illegal settlers, parang mga bahay bahay doon para hindi sila makuwan ng baha.”

“Tama yun but did we check the quality of work?” Pumaren said. 

 bibigay ko sayo ang list kung saan dapat tignan ang retaining walls sa District 5, sa sobrang nipis, ang bilis bumagsak... I think we should start reviewing 'yung mga ganyan na contractors na shino-shorcut. Ang point ko, nag nenegosyo ka. Kung hindi mo kaya gawin yun sa tamang specification, huwag natin ipagawa sa ganoon because nagsa-sacrifice and quality of work. Ang mamo-mroblema na naman 'yung city,” the lawmaker said.

Residents rescued as Typhoon Carina causes floods in NCR