The Daily Tribune <<< Without Fear or Favor >>>

»HEADLINES

»NATION

‘Deadly floods to remain in Bulacan and Valenzuela’

By Mina Diaz

11/02/2009

| More

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood expert yesterday said Valenzuela and Bulacan areas will continue to remain vulnerable to deadly floods even as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-financed project of the department has already stopped the occurrence of floods in the neighboring areas of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas.

Public Works Camanava Flood-Control Project director Carla Bartolo said Valenzuela, Obando and Meycauayan (VOM) areas will continue to suffer perennial knee-and chest-high floodings due to high tide and strong rains until such time that we construct flood-control facilities there.

Reports from the Department of Agriculture said Bulacan’s rice and crops were among the P3.2-billion damage in agriculture brought about by typhoon “Ondoy.” The killer typhoon also affected the industrial firms in Valenzuela.

Bartolo said they recommended the immediate construction of the second phase of the Camanava Flood Control Project to stop perennial floodings in Valenzuela and Bulacan.

She said the proposed second phase of the Flood Control Project will reduce floodings in about 21-square kilometer flood-prone areas in Valenzuela and Bulacan.

The VOM Flood Control Project (Phase 2) has a wider scope as compared to that of the Camanava Flood Control Project (Phase 1) but just like what we did in the first phase in Camanava area, VOM also needs a permanent long-term solution for recurring floodings, she added.

As in the first phase of the flood control project, she said the second phase will involve the construction of flood control facilities such as pumping stations, independent floodgates, drainage main, river improvement works and improvement of river channels.

Earlier reports had said Phase 1 of the Camanava Flood Control Project had begun to serve its purpose by sparing the areas of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas from extreme flooding during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.

Bartolo raised hopes that the proposed P10.5-billion VOM Flood Control Project would again be financed by JICA. The project is scheduled to be started in 2012 or 2013.