Gatchalian flags delay in Metro Manila flood management project ahead of La Niña

Senator Win Gatchalian flagged a delay in the implementation of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project saying the project is a critical preventive tool ahead of an expected weather aberration caused by the La Nina phenomenon.

"It's quite discouraging to see that the implementation is only 6.52% versus a target of 91% or a slippage of 84.48%," said Gatchalian, referring to the P23.50 billion flood control project. The legislator then called on the implementing agencies Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to ensure that a catch-up initiative would be undertaken to bring the completion rate to a much higher level.

"This is a very important project considering that Metro Manila always experiences flooding during the rainy season or when there is intense rainfall," Gatchalian said at a recent meeting conducted by the Congressional Oversight Committee on Official Development Assistance (COCODA), presided by him and Congresswoman and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"Sa harap ng banta ng La Niña, kinakailangan nating magkaroon ng mga proyektong makakatugon sa posibleng masamang epekto ng malakas na pag-ulan at pagbaha. Kung matapos sana ang proyekto ayon sa itinakdang petsa, malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga kababayan hanggang sa mga huling bahagi ng taon kung kailan inaasahang mananatili ang La Niña," Gatchalian said.

The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank each provide $207.60 million in concessional loans to finance the project. The loan became effective in March 2018 and is scheduled to close in November this year. Cumulative disbursements total P6.92 billion or 29.44% of the total project cost while cumulative loan drawdowns stand at $72.78 million, accounting for only 17.53% of the total loan amount of $415.20 million.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means asked the DPWH for an alternative plan that would enable it to achieve its goal of minimizing solid waste. He also asked the DPWH on its plan to modernize drainage areas. Based on a report from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), this component of the flood management project requires the rehabilitation of 36 pumping stations and the construction of 20 new ones. To date, however, only 7 new pumping stations have been rehabilitated with 14 others undergoing rehabilitation. Only 4 pumping stations of the 20 new ones are for procurement while 16 others will not be pursued due to right-of-way issues.

Another component of the project is the participatory housing and resettlement which calls for the resettlement of around 2,500 households.

Gatchalian nag-alala sa pagkaantala ng Metro Manila flood project sa gitna ng inaasahang La Niña

Nag-alala si Senador Win Gatchalian sa pagkaantala ng pagpapatupad ng Metro Manila Flood Management Project lalo na't ang proyekto ay makakatulong sa idudulot ng inaasahang La Niña phenomenon ngayong taon.

"Nakakasira ng loob na malamang nasa 6.52% pa lamang ng proyekto ang natutupad laban sa tinatarget na 91% o slippage na 84.48%," sabi ni Gatchalian. Ang tinutukoy niya ay ang P23.50 bilyong flood control project. Nanawagan ang mambabatas sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), na pawang mga implementing agencies, na tiyaking magkakaroon ng catch-up initiative para maisakatuparan na ang pagtatapos ng proyekto.

"Ito ay isang napakahalagang proyekto kung isasaalang-alang na ang Metro Manila ay palaging nakakaranas ng pagbaha sa panahon ng tag-ulan o kapag may matinding pag-ulan," sabi ni Gatchalian sa isang pulong kamakailan na isinagawa ng Congressional Oversight Committee on Official Development Assistance (COCODA), na pinamumunuan niya at Congresswoman at dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"Sa harap ng banta ng La Niña, kinakailangan nating magkaroon ng mga proyektong makakatugon sa posibleng masamang epekto ng malakas na pag-ulan at pagbaha. Kung matapos sana ang proyekto ayon sa itinakdang petsa, malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga kababayan hanggang sa mga huling bahagi ng taon kung kailan mananatili ang La Niña," ani Gatchalian.

Ang World Bank at ang Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ay nagbigay ng tig-$207.60 milyon sa mga concessional loan upang tustusan ang proyekto. Naging epektibo ang loan noong Marso 2018 at nakatakdang magsara sa Nobyembre ng taong ito. Ang pinagsama-samang mga disbursement ay may kabuuang P6.92 bilyon o 29.44% ng kabuuang halaga ng proyekto.

Nanawagan ang chairperson ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means sa DPWH ng isang alternatibong plano na magbibigay-daan upang makamit ang layunin nito na mabawasan ang solid waste. Tinanong din niya ang DPWH sa plano nitong gawing moderno ang mga drainage area. Batay sa ulat ng National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), ang flood management project ay nangangailangan din ng rehabilitasyon ng 36 na pumping station at pagtatayo ng 20 na bago. Pero sa ngayon, 7 bagong pumping stations lamang ang na-rehabilitate at 14 na iba pa ang sumasailalim sa rehabilitasyon. Samantala, 16 na iba pa ang hindi itinuloy dahil sa mga isyu sa right-of-way.

Ang isa pang bahagi ng proyekto ay ang participatory housing at resettlement na may layong tugunan ang isyu sa resettlement ng humigit-kumulang 2,500 kabahayan.