The government is eyeing a combination of dredging, drainage upgrades, detention basins and flood interceptor projects to address persistent flooding in Parañaque, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.
During an inspection of flood-prone areas near Dr. Santos Avenue and Don Galo Creek with Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan and local officials, the public works secretary noted that floodwaters in some communities, “minsan daw lampas tao ‘yung tubig dito.” (“would sometimes rise above a person’s height”)
According to Dizon, among the immediate interventions being considered are dredging operations in Villanueva Creek near Manila Memorial Park and in Don Galo Creek to restore water flow obstructed by garbage buildup and siltation.
“You can see that the water is barely flowing anymore. That means the waterways are clogged, clogged with garbage and heavy siltation, and have already become too shallow,” Dizon said in an interview.
He explained that shallow waterways cause water to backflow into nearby roads and residential areas whenever water levels rise.