Two esteros in Manila rehabilitated

Two esteros in Manila have been rehabilitated as part of the government's initiative to lessen flooding in the city, especially now that the rainy season has begun.

 

The Estero de Valencia and Estero de Sampaloc along San Miguel in Manila were inaugurated on Wednesday, following a year of rehabilitation efforts spearheaded by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

 

Water from the two esteros may come in or flow out via the Manila Bay (north) and Pasig River (south).

 

Earlier, two other esteros in Manila—Estero de Paco and Estero de San Miguel near Malacañang Palace—were also rehabilitated. 

 

A report on GMA News' State of the Nation with Jessica Soho said the year-old initiative included clearing the waterways of garbage, fixing the sidewalk beside it, and relocating more than 300 families who used to live there.

 

 

Residents in the area are now keen on abiding by the "Tapat Ko, Linis Ko" rule every day, it added.

 

"Ang target namin [ay] ma-maintain 'yung linis kasi kami rin naman 'yung number one [na] affected] by it, especially kapag rainy season na—may baha, may dumi. Siyempre sa amin din pupunta," said Layla Santiago, a barangay chairman in San Miguel.

 

While the government is slowly transforming the esteros, which it said would be a big help in preventing floods, there are still some waterways, like the Estero de Vitas in Tondo, which are filled with waste.

 

Authorities said that the primary cause of flood in Metro Manila is the fact that people are living beside the esteros, thus leading to a build-up of garbage that clog the passage of water. They are working on relocating the residents along with rehabilitating the esteros, but some residents insist on remaining in the said areas, risking the health and safety of their families in return.

 

Erlinda Reyes, who resides along Estero de Vitas, told GMA News that they know it is dangerous to live in their shanty by the estero, which can get easily flooded, prompting them to go up to the bridge near their house.

 

"Delikado nga ho rito," she said. "[Pero] saan ho kami titira? Wala ho kaming matirahan. Wala ho kaming pang-upa."

 

With ongoing efforts to declog and beautify esteros, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino called on the public to be disciplined in waste management.

 

"Lahat naman ng esteros, interconnected. Hangga't may nagtatapon ng basura, hindi lang doon sa mga areas na 'yon, ay talagang hindi maiaangat 'yung estado ng mga estero," he said. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ KG, GMA News