NAVOTAS Representative Toby Tiangco supported the call of President Bongbong Marcos to develop a National Flood Control Plan in the aftermath of Typhoon Carina and the massive flooding experienced in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
“Developing a national flood control plan that integrates water flow management and effective flood interventions is critical in ensuring the protection of Filipinos from massive flooding which disrupts their daily lives and cause damage to properties,” Tiangco said.
“When I became Mayor of Navotas, flood control was a key focus of our programs because it was a major problem at the time. High tides caused flooding in Navotas for 160 days a year, even during the dry season. We reduced that to an average of 5 days per year, with roads remaining passable on those days. We invested in engineering-based solutions to effectively manage flooding in the city. We constructed bombastic pumping stations in strategic locations, along with dikes and floodgates, to protect Navoteños from severe flooding,” he added.
Tiangco said it is imperative for national agencies like DPWH to work closely with local government units in the development of the National Flood Control plan so they can integrate localized risks in its effort to prevent another calamity.
He emphasized the need to be proactive in understanding the potential risks to flood control infrastructure and integrating effective interventions to address these risks.
Tiangco said “The flooding in our city during typhoon Carina was difficult to control because of what happened to our floodgate. Were it not for the damaged floodgate, all streets would have been passable because our 81 bombastik pumping stations were operational. This was our experience during Ondoy.”
“Government agencies should include reinforcement interventions to address potential risks, such as infrastructure damage caused by maritime-related activities. For example, we propose a second floodgate for the Tangos-Tanza navigational gate to provide a functional backup in case the main gate is damaged or under repair,” Tiangco said.
“Kung ito ay napondohan din, malaking tulong sana ito noong Bagyong Carina. Kahit na nasira ang main navigational gate, mayroong back-up,” he added.
Tiangco also noted that waste management is a key component in flood control.
He previously urged Navoteños to ensure proper waste disposal after discovering that eight of the city’s 81 bombastic pumping stations malfunctioned due to trash blocking drainage systems and canals in barangays.
“Palagi kong sinasabi na kahit na pinakamahal na toilet bowl, tapunan mo ng plastic at kung ano-ano ay magbabara. Kailangan din kaisa natin ang mga residente at komunidad sa pagkilos para siguruhing maayos ang pagtatapon ng basura dahil nakaka-apekto rin ito sa mga pumping stations,” Tiangco said.
“Sinabi na rin ito ni President Bongbong noong bumisita s’ya sa Navotas kamakailan lang. Importante ang maayos na pagtatapon ng basura para masiguro na hindi masira ang mga pumping stations,” he added.
Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez visited Navotas in the aftermath of Typhoon Carina to inspect the damaged Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate and to provide aid to flood victims.
Both the President and the Speaker committed immediate interventions for the damaged floodgate, which caused the recent flooding in the city.
