DPWH: No overnight solution for flooding problem

Heavy and continuous downpours brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) have triggered deep floodwaters across parts of Luzon — the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief said there is no overnight solution that can fix the problem.

“Walang overnight solution dito, kung ine-expect ng mga kababayan natin na masosolusyunan ’to nang isang taon nananaginip tayong lahat, hindi mangyayari ‘yan. This will take time,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in a “24 Oras Weekend” report by Gabriel Gonzales on Sunday.

(There is no overnight solution here. If the public expects this to be solved in a year, we are all dreaming — that won't happen. This will take time.)

“So ibig sabihin kapag ginawa natin nang tama naso-solusyunan pero kailangan buong bansa ganon ang gagawin natin,” Dizon added.

(This means that if we do things right, the problem can be solved, but we need to implement this approach nationwide.)

The DPWH chief noted that while the Office of the Ombudsman continues its investigation into anomalous flood control projects, the agency remains focused on fixing flawed and abandoned public works.

“Tuloy-tuloy naman tayo pero hintayin na lang natin yung Ombudsman. Kami kailangan namin ayusin lahat 'tong mga problemang ganito,” Dizon said.

(Our work continues, but let's just wait for the Ombudsman. For our part, we need to fix all these existing problems.)

Parañaque City floods

In Gonzales’s report, several residents were stranded in Purok 3, Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City, after floodwaters rose well above head height.

Residents resorted to using ropes as handholds to navigate the deep water. Shortly after, rescuers arrived equipped with rescue boats.

In Sucat, Parañaque, traffic ground to a near-standstill due to severe flooding. At the Zapote Junction under the Zapote Flyover, streets were rendered completely impassable to motorists.

“Galing akong Vito Cruz, kumuha ako ng booking papunta dito. Pagdating ko dito, stranded na sa baha. Hanggang dito sa dibdib,” a rider said.

(I came all the way from Vito Cruz after accepting a booking here. When I arrived, we got stranded in the flood. The water reached up to my chest.)

Quezon City

In Quezon City, nearly 600 residents evacuated from parts of Roxas District and Barangay Bagong Silang.

Floodwaters reached chest level along Gumamela and Waling-Waling Streets in Roxas District, prompting some residents to evacuate preemptively before the water rose further.

“Well, actually po, kapag ganyan, talagang maulan, talagang naghahanda na po kami kasi unang-una, pinapalikas po namin agad yung mga bata, PWD (persons with disabilities), at tsaka yung mga senior natin,” Roxas District Councilor Prince Erwin Caronan said.

(Whenever there's heavy rain like this, we prepare right away. First and foremost, we immediately evacuate children, PWDs, and our senior citizens.)

The number of evacuees at the Roxas Gymnasium reached 19 families, or approximately 70 individuals. Meanwhile, in Barangay Bagong Silang, at least 149 families were reported to have evacuated. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News