Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said on Tuesday (July 7) that seven out of the eight pumping stations in Metro Manila are working in full capacity to mitigate flooding in the area this rainy season.
The MMDA also named flood-prone areas in Manila:
España Blvd.
Blumentritt
M. Dela Fuente
Lacson
R. Magsaysay Blvd.
Legarda
Nagtahan
Claro M. Recto
While three pumping stations in Manila were upgraded recently, covering flood-prone areas in Manila such as España and roads near the University Belt, the pumping station in Tripa de Gallina is still being repaired.
Tolentino also warned residents about not properly disposing of trash as these may clog drainage systems — preventing flood waters to subside faster.
He added that the MMDA continues to declog drainage systems and deploy teams that work until 4:00 a.m. when heavy downpour occurs at night. Rescue equipment are also on standby.
As for Caloocan and Pasay, where some portions are flood-prone areas, officials said declogging of drainage systems were done over the summer in preparation for the wet season.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang paglilinis tulad ng mga LGUs na ginawa na noong summer. Ngayon habagat and bagyo na, iba na ang action,” Tolentino said.
[Translation: “Local government units have been cleaning their areas since summer. Now that it’s the rainy season, actions taken have changed.”]
While Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan said that they have been cleaning a creek and drainage systems in their city, Pasay Mayor Antonino Calixto stressed the importance of preparing for the rainy season.
