The lack of storm drains, along with debris and garbage clogging the drainage system, are among the major causes of street flooding in Davao City, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11).

Based on data from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) presented by the City Engineer’s Office during the session at the City Council, up to 265 areas in the city are affected by street flooding during heavy rains.

“To address that, the City Government thru the City Engineers Office has implemented 62 flood mitigation and drainage project that have been appropriated since 2022,” City Engineer’s Office OIC, Atty. Janis Louis Esparcia, said.

Of the 265 areas, 67 percent are national roads that falls under the jurisdiction of DPWH.

“The images of submerged streets of Damosa, JP Laurel, SPMC area and Obrero are constant reminder that our current flood control measures need to adopt to climate change and the city’s rapid urbanization,” Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, said.

The DPWH Davao City 3rd District Engineering Office noted that flooding worsens during high tide because the discharge capacity of the main and secondary drainage systems slows down, particularly in Jerome main drain on Maharlika Highway-Mamay Road; Mamay main drain on Mamay Road-Angliongto; and NHA Buhangin and Panacan cemetery.

“As per our assessment, the cause of flooding is intense and prolong rainfall, lack of or insufficient storm drain, accumulated debris, trash and sediments and blocked outlets,” DPWH Davao City 3rd District Engineering Office Flood Control Unit Head, Janine May Diente, said.

DPWH recommends putting up retarding basins in accordance with the JICA Masterplan.

“These basins help to temporarily store excess run off, minimize downstream flooding, reduce peak flow rates and improve overall drainage system performance,” Diente added.

Officials said the most feasible solution to reduce flooding in these areas is to expand the lateral drainage, but this alone is not enough as retarding basins are also needed. Some roads in the first district also experience flooding due to garbage blocking the flow of water.

“The maintenance men were partially mobilized. Ang nangyari po is lahat po diyan is ang nagka-clog caused by ‘yung mga plastic,” Davao City Engineering Office Maintenance Chief, Maria Gloria Sorrera, said.

“The problem in JP Laurel also is most that contributed from the establishments, ‘yang mga sediments, ‘yung mga garbage nila. Sometimes andun na po sa inlets. During flooding it will clog,” Engr. Lilibeth Sarmiento, district engineer of the Davao City 3rd District Engineering Office, added.

However, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang is not convinced that garbage causes flooding in several roads.

“The flooding is not the garbage. The collection of garbage is very efficient, very effective,” Dayanghirang said.

Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. also noted that 70 percent of downtown Davao City sits on a floodplain before, stressing the need for a comprehensive master drainage plan and regular drainage system maintenance.