A significant amount of improperly disposed garbage caused flooding in several areas in the National Capital Region amid the heavy rains on Saturday, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said on Sunday that MMDA personnel recovered garbage, such as plastics and even a plywood plank, that blocked a drain near EDSA-Camp Aguinaldo.
“Talaga namang sangkaterbang basura ang nakuha despite na continuous ang ating paglilinis sa mga daluyan ng tubig. Ganun pa rin, marami pa rin tayong nakukuha,” Lipana said on Super Radyo dzBB.
(We obtained a huge amount of garbage despite the continuous cleaning of storm gutters.)
“Bukod sa talagang maraming basura na nakabara, biglaan din ang pagdating tubig at may kaliitan na talaga ang drainage system natin,” he added.
(Aside from the large amount of garbage blocking the drainage, the heavy rain came down suddenly, and our drainage system has become inadequate.)
With this, Lipana reiterated that the MMDA planned to create a 50-year drainage master plan for Metro Manila to address perennial flooding during the rainy season.
He said the drainage systems in the region’s cities need to be aligned and enlarged to accommodate the larger volume of water.
Pending this master plan, the MMDA appealed to the public to properly dispose of their garbage to mitigate the flooding in Metro Manila.
“Nagiging malaking dahilan o sanhi ng pagbaha [ang basura]. Oras naman maalis ang mga basura na ‘yan and after several hours, ay bumababa din agad,” Lipana said.
(Garbage is a major cause of flooding. Once removed, the flooding subsides after several hours.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News
