ICI inspects flood control project in QC with 92 phases

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Thursday inspected the portion of the San Juan River in Quezon City, which is supposedly the site of a P141-million flood control project.

According to Joseph Morong's report on "24 Oras," the portion of the river in Barangay Roxas still overflows and causes problems to the residents in the area amid heavy rainfall.

The flood control project was also divided into 92 phases, which ICI member, former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, said was meant to work around the limit on the cost of a contract the district engineer may approve.

They also inspected a pumping station worth P30 million, which appears to be causing inconvenience in the area.

“It does not seem to be the proper intervention for this area, considering that this is a flood-prone area and what you've actually done is create a dam and further block the waterway,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who was also present during the ICI inspection.

“So, kapag mas malakas ang ulan, malakas ang baha, mas lalong babaha sa lugar na ito (so, if there is a downpour, the flood worsens, and the area would be more flooded)," she added.

However, Secretary Vince Dizon said the Department of Public Works and Highways would soon reveal its plans in the next few days.

"We have to see it ourselves on the ground," Dizon said.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ICI special adviser, said the commission may do inspections on a regular daily basis.

“Lahat, this is about 131 na flood control projects, and probably, titignan namin kung ilan ang nagkakaroon ng problema sa Quezon City,” Magalong said.

(We will look into all 131 flood control projects, and probably, we will check how many in Quezon City have problems.) –NB, GMA Integrated News