Marcos: Flooding in Las Piñas less severe but more work needed

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Tuesday flooding in Las Piñas City was no longer as severe as before, citing the government's ongoing dredging and drainage-clearing efforts.

In an ambush interview during his visit to the area, Marcos said the effects of the continuous rains in the city showed that the measures being implemented by the government were having an effect.

However, he acknowledged that more work needs to be done to fully address flooding.

"Mukhang nagkaroon naman ng epekto. Hindi gan'un kalala ang pagbaha. Medyo nabawasan. Dati hanggang sa dibdib pa abot, ngayon wala pa, hindi pa, hanggang kulang pa sa tuhod ang baha," Marcos said.

"So effective naman ang ating ginagawa, ngunit alam naman natin kulang pa rin yan. Marami pa rin tayong kailangan gawin," he added.

Marcos noted that dredging had been halted for 12 years because of a moratorium, resulting in rivers and spillways gradually becoming shallower.

The President said the government would continue its dredging operations with help of local government units (LGUs).

Marcos also ordered the review and completion of the long-delayed Las Piñas spillway.

He said he had instructed Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon to revisit the plans for the spillway and determine what needs to be changed or updated before proceeding with the project.

The President also blamed improperly disposed garbage for worsening floods after trash accumulated in drainage canals in Parañaque.

He urged LGUs and the public to properly dispose of their waste.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government would continue its waste-to-energy program, which seeks to process collected garbage and convert it into electricity.

For the long term, Marcos said the government is also looking at ways to store and manage excess water before it reaches flood-prone areas.

He stressed that the government's flood-control efforts would continue as flooding remains a major challenge. — VDV, GMA News