Legarda bats for the urgent upgrading of Phl drainage systems

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 6, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the senate committee on climate change lamented the recent flash floods that resulted to the lost of at least 30 lives in Davao City, saying that the lack of drainage system upgrades and other long-term remedies to waterway congestion exacerbates destructive floods in metropolitan areas.

To prevent floods in congested urban zones, primarily in Metro Manila where heavy rainfall immediately flooded main thoroughfares yesterday, Legarda urged the government for the long-term investments for the upgrading of the Philippine drainage system.

Legarda explained that the upgrading of drainage systems entails increasing the capacity of drainage systems to hold and flush out more water, in response to increasing rain landfall and rising sea levels, saying that the present capacity of the Metro Manila drainage and flood control systems is said to be less than 50%.

“Streets undergo major clean-ups after a flood, but the underground pipes clogged with garbage and other debris from the floods was typically neglected; thus, there is a need to ensure that we direct resources in cleaning up creeks and waterways that are central to our flood prevention strategy,” Legarda said.

“The recent warning from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the country has to expect 12 to 15 more typhoons before the year ends should be pre-empted,” Legarda furthered, explaining that the different levels of government are better equipped to prepare for these typhoons with improved early warning systems and evacuation protocols.

“There is a need to finally turn the public eye for a comprehensive long-term solutions in the upgrading of the country’s drainage system and flood control plans as the next steps in climate change adaptation since typhoons are expected to hit the country in higher intensity,” Legarda said.

The Senator pointed out that the flood prevention outlays are small amounts to shell out seeing that they save the government and people huge amount of money when natural hazards strike, explaining that climate change adaptation tools are investments, not costs.

“I note Department of Public Works and Highway’s efforts to review an effective flood control infrastructure that would significantly diminish floods in parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces that destroy public infrastructures, housing, and livelihoods, costing us millions of pesos each time, let alone causing tragic loss of human life,” Legarda said; thus, the benefits from flood control projects tremendously exceed the costs in building them, adding that the strategies for climate change adaptation exist.

“Once again, I urge Local Government Units and agencies under the executive department to responsibly allot funds for long-term measures that would ultimately save pesos as well as precious lives,” Legarda ended. (Jason de Asis)