Senators conduct probe on NCR flooding

Transcript

00:00Most of 15 years have passed since the mother of all deluges and flooding hit the megacity

00:05to turn it into a devastating water world of unprecedented proportions.

00:09And hundreds of flood mitigation projects have been put up since then, which sadly have

00:14had little or no effect in light of last week's torrential monsoon rains that put the entire

00:19national capital region underwater in an unmitigated devastation and unspeakable misery.

00:25Now the Senators of the Republic want answers from the DPWH and MMDA on such projects and

00:31how to move forward from here on in as our Daniel Manalastas reports.

00:38Senators didn't waste time in diving into the details on whether the reclamation projects

00:43affect flooding, like what happened last week in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

00:48Any physical change in the configuration of the embayment that is included in this

01:02area will change also the way the water and the pollutants as well.

01:10In general, reclamation projects will slow down the flow of water and will change the

01:17circulation and retention of pollutants and organic materials that are already in the bay.

01:24The DPWH meanwhile sees the problem of a lack in dredging operations in rivers

01:30that has resulted in rivers overflowing their banks and spilling into streets and roadways.

01:36Not over the years, over the years there has not been any dredging and desilting operations that

01:44were carried out in the principal rivers all over the country and this is the reason why

01:52all of our major rivers are silted and the riverbeds are very shallow.

01:59For example, there was dredging but they are not measuring what was really dredged.

02:05Why did that happen? It shouldn't happen again.

02:10It should be discussed in the BICAM and you should also fight it, Secretary.

02:17The DNR meanwhile highlighted the importance of good working relationships

02:21with different local government units and with the private sector

02:25in addressing the problems on reclamation projects and flooding.

02:28The SM group where previously there was no gap between the seawall and the island.

02:36On the basis of the recommendation, they are now implementing a channel

02:47between the seawall and the island of about 400 plus meters.

02:56As well as the LGUs of Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Navotas

03:02wherein the private sector San Miguel group is also undertaking dredging.

03:09Several senators expressed disappointment over the repeated floodings in Metro Manila.

03:14Senators also insisted on the need for a master plan.

03:18Daniel Manalastas from the National TV for a new and better Philippines.