As typhoon cyclone wind signal number one was hoisted in Metro Manila recently, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority inspected its biggest pumping station, Tripa de Gallina, in Pasay and revetment wall at Provident Village in Marikina City.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos and Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos have met with NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric Distor to discuss the matter.
MMDA Chair Abalos ensures that the Tripa de Gallina pumping station, which is also the oldest in Metro Manila, and all other pumping stations operated by the MMDA are fully operational, with necessary power and fuel in place.
Aside from the regular maintenance of the pumping stations, desilting and dredging of rivers are also regularly conducted to prevent flooding.
The traffic chief also said he is discussing plans of putting up garbage nets along rivers and tributaries in Pasay so that trash will not end up at the pumping stations to prevent damage on the pumps.
The traffic head likewise appealed to the public to properly dispose of garbage which usually causes flooding woes.
“Discipline in segregating garbage and proper disposal are keys to fully address the problems brought by floods.”
“Discipline in segregating garbage and proper disposal are keys to fully address the problems brought by floods. We also urge the local government units to strictly enforce the anti-littering ordinances and encourage recycling among residents to lessen the volume of garbage,” he said.
Abalos also visited the ongoing construction of perimeter retaining wall at Provident Village in Marikina which will help stop the sudden flow of water coming from the Sierra Madre mountain range. The city is a catch basin of water coming from Quezon City and the province of Rizal, making it a flood prone area.
“We’ve rebuilt and reinforced the wall to make sure that it can withstand heavy rains.”
“We’ve rebuilt and reinforced the wall to make sure that it can withstand heavy rains and protect the residents from floods which can reach as high as a two-storey house,” he explained.
Acknowledging the efforts of the local government unit, Abalos thanked Pasay mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and Marikina mayor Marcy Teodoro for their initiatives and coordination with the MMDA to make sure that the torrential rains will not cause severe damage in the National Capital Region.
“There’s no alternative to unity among the mayors and stronger coordination with MMDA,” Abalos concluded.