Geologist says focus on water coming from Montalban; DENR says P28-B dam on the way

Traditional control measures against flooding - like building dikes, dredging, and elevating roads - are no longer enough in the age of climate change, according to a geologist and professor from the University of the Philippines (UP).

In the case of the Marikina River, Professor CP David of the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences said the government should instead focus on managing the water that flows down the river from neighboring Montalban, Rizal.

"Sa tingin namin, hindi na ito [traditional flood control measures] sapat lalo na at pumapasok tayo sa mga taon na lalong lumalakas ang pag-ulan dahil sa climate change," he said.

"Ano ang puwede natin gawin sa upstream ng mga ilog? In the case of Marikina, ano ang puwdeng gawin sa area ng Montalban para iyong tubig na bababa mula Montalban hanggang Marikina, mababawasan natin ang water level," he added.

To address this, Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways said the government is already in the "final stages" of designing a P28-billion dam to be built upstream of the Marikina River.

"Doon talaga galing ung tubig. Kapag may dam na doon sa pinakadulo, doon pa lang maba-bllock na iyong tubig," said Villar.

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro on Friday morning placed the city under state of calamity after Typhoon Ulysses caused the Marikina River to swell to a record 21.96 meters, past the 21.5 meters set during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.

The river swelling triggered floods that swallowed communities in surrounding barangays, like the Provident Villages, a flood-prone area because it is situated just 13 meters above sea level.

Teodoro has already threatened to sue the management of the Angat Dam for allegedly not alerting the local government about its plan to release water from its reservoir and into the Marikina River. -MDM, GMA News