MMDA STARTS CLEARING WATERWAYS
METRO MANILA, MAY 5, 2008 (STAR) By Michael Punongbayan - The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing for the rainy season by clearing creeks, rivers, and other waterways of garbage and other materials that obstruct the flow of water.The agency is focusing on waterways such as the Tullahan River, which usually overflows during heavy downpours.
MMDA executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios said the incident in which three people were killed and two others injured on Litex Road in Quezon City last Thursday is an example of how clogged waterways can cause walls to collapse.
“We did not damage any creek and block the flow of water in the area,” Vergel de Dios said during the agency’s radio show aired over dzBB. Earlier reports have it that excavations made by the MMDA caused the collapse.
According to him, improper garbage disposal seems to be the problem since the creek was said to be full of trash blocking the flow of water.
Vergel de Dios said residents must be educated about proper waste disposal so they would not have any problems when flash floods come especially now that the rainy season is approaching.
He stressed that the MMDA’s road-widening project along Commonwealth Avenue did not cover the creek.
“They thought it was safe to live there since a wall is behind their residence, thus protecting them from calamities. They were seriously mistaken,” MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno explained.
“How can the expansion cause the wall to fall down if it’s beyond the widening project. Furthermore, why were there people drinking near the wall if there was a flash flood?” MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando added. “Bottomline, there shouldn’t be any people living in that area. Its a dangerous place to live in.”
Boy Franco, the MMDA’s clearing and road-widening operations chief, said “the allegations of the settlers that the debris caused the flooding are not true.”
“I think the tons of garbage that the illegal settlers dumps in the creek caused the flash flood,” he said.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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