REVILLA WANTS AN UPDATE ON THE CAMANAVA FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

In the wake of reported flooding in Navotas City , Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a status report on the delayed P3.79 billion CAMANAVA flood control project.

According to Revilla, the DPWH cannot wash its hands this time just like before when it DPWH blamed the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) and the local government of Navotas for the delay in the completion of the said project.

"There is no miscommunication here but a clear negligence and failure on the part of the DPWH in properly supervising and monitoring of the project. Concerned DPWH officials, particularly CAMANAVA Flood Control Project Director Carla Bartolo, were caught off guard because they did not anticipate that the testing operation would have a backward result," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

It could be recalled in their June monthly progress report last year on the flood control project, the DPWH said the Meralco and Maynilad have both failed to relocate their facilities which impede the construction of the project at the Longos Creek site and Northern Catmon area.

The same report said that Navotas City has not issued road closure permits in the Northbay Boulevard and Lapu-Lapu Avenue for digging work to start there. "Now, they (DPWH) have nothing to blame but themselves. If this kind of practice will continue, the already delayed project will most likely have another extended deadline of completion, "Revilla warned.

The two-feet floodwaters that submerged Phase 1, Kapitbahayan in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South was caused by the DPWH's testing of its Bangkulasi Pumping Station which is under the ongoing construction of the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project. This caused the delay of the graduation rites at the Kapitbahayan Elementary School , Kapitbahayan High School and Navotas Polytechnic College because the students encountered difficulty in crossing the streets.

"It was like they were struck by a calamity. The residents were furiously surprised when floodwaters suddenly entered their doors and pestered their households. Ironically, the floodwaters came from a supposed flood control project," Revilla pointed out.

Revilla said he will look into the status of the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project in view of the report that the DPWH and the project contractor, Nishimatsu Construction Company (NCC) of Japan , no longer update the city government of Navotas on the developments of the said flood control project.

Last year, Revilla recommended the termination of the contract between the DPWH and NCC. He added that the contractor should also be banned from participating in any project bidding due to the delayed construction of the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project.

The lawmaker strongly reminded the DPWH that the purpose of the construction of the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project is to prevent flooding in Caloocan City , Malabon City , Navotas City and Valenzuela City . "The multi-billion project is said to be completed on September or October this year, but in its testing stage, it looks like it will bring more floods in the CAMANAVA area. This might be the first time that Navotas was submerged in waters on a hot summer season," he added.