Over 600 families relocated from Maricaban Creek in Pasay

More than three kilometers of Maricaban Creek in Pasay City have been cleared to give way to the construction of a revetment wall that aims to prevent flooding in Metro Manila, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Wednesday.

“Ngayon, matapos na ma-clear ito, lalagyan na ngayon ng DPWH ng mas mataas na revetment wall para yung tubig mako-contain na dito sa kanal na ito at ito na talaga yung daluyan ng tubig,” Roxas told reporters after the turnover of the area to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Because of the revetment wall, mas malalim siya, mas malaki yung holding capacity, mas mabilis ang labas ng tubig mula sa Manila Bay,” he added.

Roxas said 649 families living in the creek have been relocated to various housing projects of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“Maganda ang kanilang paglilipatan. Nailalayo natin sila sa kapahamakan, at yung benepisyo na ito, hindi lamang dito sa Barangay 180 at Barangay 183 ng Pasay pero sa buong Kamaynilaan. Dahil nga kung mas mabilis ang daloy ng tubig palabas sa Manila Bay, kung anoman ang baha sa loob, interior ng Kamaynilaan, mas mabilis din makakalabas,” Roxas said.

300 families remain

He, however, said that about 300 families still remain within three meters from the creek. Under the DPWH's easement plan, all the families living within three meters from the creek must be relocated.

Roxas said some of these 300 have already agreed to be relocated within the city and are just completing the necessary documents.

“Yung iba sa kanila, nakahanap ng tinatawag na 'in-city relocation.' Nakapag-negotiate sila ng isang lupa na doon itatayo ang medium-rise building,” Roxas said.

“Pero hindi natin maiiwasan dyan sa 300, siguro may mga hardcore na talagang medyo matigas pa ang ulo. Nakikiusap kami sa pamamagitan ng mga barangay officials, local government officials na kumbinsihin sila dahil nakikita naman ang kabutihan para sa pangkalahatan,” he added.

Roxas has earlier said that his department intends to relocate at least 4,000 families living in eight major waterways in Metro Manila by the end of the year to ease the massive flooding in the metropolis.

The priority waterways identified by Roxas are Tullahan River, San Juan River, Pasig River, Manggahan Floodway, Estero de Maypajo, Estero de Sunog Apog, Estero Tripa de Gallina and Maricaban Creek.

Based on the DILG record as of May 2014, a total of 19,440 families are living illegally along these waterways. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News