Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Drainage cap, overpopulation blamed for MM flooding
By J.Lo
Overpopulation and overcapacity of Metro Manila’s urban drainage systems are to blame for perennial flooding problem in National Capital Region. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Cathy Cabral told news forum that Metro Manila has exceeded its carrying capacity of water largely contributing to recent extreme flooding during onslaught of habagat and tropical cyclones Carina and Butchoy.
She emphasized need to decentralize economic activity to prevent overburdening urban centers, giving Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas as examples of situations where their drainage capacities are already overburdened.
She stressed DPWH is actively assisting relocation of informal settlers to address flooding in Metro Manila, as overpopulation is said to be contributing to clogging of metro’s waterways.
Cabral highlighted DPWH’s 5,500 completed flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2024, most of which have started construction even prior to July 2022.
She added DPWH also has more than 5,000 other flood control projects that are still ongoing nationwide.
As of 2023, Metro Manila has population of 14.9 million.
In separate statement, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy said anything related to poor urban planning or development affects flooding in highly urbanized cities.
She added DENR is already working on urban greening projects in Metro Manila, encouraging local government units “to allot some space in their communities for multipurpose use such as recreation and conservation.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Review of RBPMS, teachers’ workload ordered
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
“By 2025, as what we have mentioned, there would be total of 140,000 ,available positions, 90,000 will be coming from result of this career progression,” Department of Education (DepEd)Undersecretary for human resource and organizational development Wilfredo Cabral told reporters in press briefing.Education Secretary Sonny Angara has signed memorandum creating task force that will review implementation of DepEd Results-Based Performance Management System (RBPMS) as well as workload and other reportorial requirements for public school teachers.
In his DepEd Memorandum No. 037 dated July 26, Angara directed task force to submit to his office within three months “comprehensive policy recommendation” following review that shall be conducted immediately.
Under memorandum, task force, composed of advisory board and technical working group, shall perform three main tasks , review and study implementation of DepEd’s RBPMS which started in 2015, review and assess teachers’ workload and reportorial requirements and recommend streamlined system for report preparation.
Memorandum further stated streamlining reportorial requirements for teachers is aligned with its earlier Department Order 002 series of 2024 removing administrative tasks of public school teachers and DO 005 series of 2024 rationalizing teachers’ workload and payment of teaching overload.
Following issuance of new memorandum, Angara convened top officials of DepEd in second executive committee meeting at DepEd central office in Pasig City.
Just last week, Angara temporarily suspended teachers’ submission of their Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (IPCRF) and Office Performance Commitment and Review Forms (OPCRF) for School Year 2023-2024 so as not to add to burden of preparing for opening of classes for SY 2024-2025.
IPCRF/OPCRF is assessment tool used in rating performance of teachers and school personnel for the year. It serves as DepEd’s primary basis in its implementation of RBPMS and Performance-Based Bonus for teachers and education personnel.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers Dignity Coalition have earlier called for suspension of the implementation of the RBPMS.
Meanwhile, around 140,000 positions are expected to be available to public school teachers by next year through implementation of expanded career progression system.
Angara led implementing rules and regulations signing of “Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers” last Friday, ensuring public school teachers will have option to pursue either higher teaching positions or leadership roles in school.
He stressed giving career path choices for teachers will help improve quality of education in the country, because of “teachers’ experience and skills.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
One of a kind games openingmemorable moments
By Cynthia Montojo
Pulsating energy and unique show that will never be forgotten boundary-breaking, genre-defying and unprecedented opening ceremony for Paris Olympics got 2024 Summer Games.
Opening ceremony mastermind Thomas Jolly, renowned French theater director, had carefully choreographed every minute of festival along banks of River Seine.
But there was one factor he could not plan for, weather. Opening ceremony had misfortune to take place as heavy summer downpours descended on Paris even as forecasts showed days of hot sunny weather ahead.
As national teams paraded down Seine on boats, they sought to make best of situation, likely hoping damp would have no impact on health before events.
Renowned French classical pianist Alexandre Kantorow was drenched as he performed on Paris bridge without any cover, while social media users expressed concern for his equally unprotected instrument.
Ironically, piece he played was “Jeux d’eau” (“Water Game”) by Maurice Ravel.
An image of Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer meanwhile went viral showing him refusing to wear standard plastic poncho to stay dry showing classic British defiance in the face of poor weather.
Canadian singer Celine Dion, who had been battling rare illness, made spectacular comeback by singing from Eiffel Tower at the climax of the ceremony with rousing version of “Hymn to Love” by Edith Piaf.
Showing pitch-perfect intonation and hitting notes with ease, she serenaded captive Paris as cauldron lit by France’s most-decorated track athlete Marie-Jose Perec and three-time Olympic gold medal-winning judoka Teddy Riner soared into Paris sky in balloon.
Last month she vowed she would fight her way back from debilitating rare neurological condition that has kept her off stage.
Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder.
A French classic some 80 artists from celebrated Moulin Rouge cabaret performed iconic cancan dance that dates back to 1820s, in pink costumes specially designed for the occasion.
Famous music however was given new electronic touch that set tone for an evening that sought to put new twist on classic French culture.
As teams began their parade down Seine they were serenaded by accordion player – dressed in the obligatory French outfit of beret and blue-striped T-shirt – precariously perched on bridge.
There had been racist backlash on social media and criticism from extreme right when it emerged that French Malian singer Aya Nakamura was to perform at the opening ceremony.
But with President Emmanuel Macron himself backing her involvement, she and her dance troupe swung their way into medley of her hits and song by great Charles Aznavour.
In eloquent symbol, she received backing from musicians of France’s Republican Guard and performed against backdrop of the Academie Francaise, the austere guardians of the French language.
Sequence of dancing promoting tolerance of sexual and gender identities ended with actor Philippe Katerine appearing as Greek God Dionysus naked and painted pink, with strategically placed flowers covering his modesty.
In possibly Jolly’s greatest coup de theatre of entire ceremony 10 statues of pioneering French women surged up from waters of the Seine in bid to inscribe their achievements in minds forever.
They included French writer and activist Olympe de Gouges who was guillotined in 1793, Simone Veil, Holocaust survivor who spearheaded legalization of abortion in France, and feminist activist Gisele Halimi.
No-one could accuse opening ceremony of being rigid in its choice of music with city pulsating to all styles from classical, to opera, to pop to electro.Ceremony did not stint on star power with Lady Gaga appearing to perform French music hall classic and homegrown stars like rapper Rim’K also performing at the ceremony
“It’s just small volume flowing out, tanks are intact, ”Philippine Coast Guard Spokesman Armand Balilo said oil slick from tanker Terra Nova sank off coast of Bataan has now reached coastline of Bulacan.
This was confirmed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando during situation briefing on effects of Typhoon Carina in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan at session hall of Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan in Malolos City.
Fernando said oil slick was sighted in the coastal area of Barangay Pamarawan in Malolos City as confirmed by its barangay chairman.
As this developed, Fernando sought assistance of the President to set up oil slick booms in coastal areas of Bulacan to protect its aquatic resources and fishpond industry of the province.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga agreed oil spill should be contained but noted commercial oil booms are too expensive and suggested that organic oil booms should be used because these are cheaper to make.
Loyzaga explained rice straws and coconut husks could be processed to come up with organic oil boom.
The President agreed to Loyzaga’s suggestion and proposed Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program of the Department of Labor and Employment be implemented to provide livelihood project for residents affected by floodwaters caused by Carina and southwest monsoon.
Top officials of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan were advised by Loyzaga to gather these indigenous materials and technical people will be sent to them to teach their respective residents how to make organic oil boom.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa also suggested using “oil-eating bacteria” to help contain oil slick.
Solidum quoted oil pollution expert Hernando Bacosa, saying “Manila Bay has lot of oil-degrading bacteria because area is major shipping and transportation hub.”
The Chief Executive has also advised Department of Social Welfare and Development to be on standby for what assistance it can provide to residents that can be affected by oil slick.
Top officials of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan are also asking for advisory on early fish harvests on coastal fishponds in their provinces the President said should be done immediately.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct assessment of impacts of oil spill in Manila Bay together with University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to assess extent and direction of oil spill, as well as its characteristics and content, according to DENR Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy.
President Marcos formed interagency task force that would immediately act on oil spill threatening to affect nearby provinces.
Some of 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil inside Terra Nova has started to leak into Manila Bay, coast guard said as they raced to avoid environmental catastrophe.
Tanker sank in bad weather off Bataan early Thursday, killing one crewmember and leaving the country potentially facing its worst oil spill disaster.
Oil slick has more than tripled in size and is now estimated to stretch 12-14 kilometers across bay, thousands of fishermen and tourism operators rely on for their livelihoods.
Divers inspected hull of the vessel and saw “minimal leak” from valves, Balilo said, adding it was “not alarming yet.”
“We’re hoping that tomorrow we will be able to start siphoning oil from motor tanker,” he said.
Ship that will carry recovered oil is on its way to the area, he said.
Coast guard has warned if entire cargo leaked would be “environmental catastrophe.”
It has previously said oil leaking from tanker appeared to be diesel fuel used to power the vessel, resting on the sea floor under 34 meters (116 feet) of water.
Coast guard now thinks slick is mixture of diesel and industrial fuel oil.
Oil containment booms have been deployed for what Balilo earlier described as “ worst case scenario” of cargo leaking out.
Three coast guard vessels were also spreading dispersants on oil.
Balilo called for suspension of fishing in Manila Bay to prevent people “eating contaminated fish.”
Vessel sank nearly seven kilometers from its origin in the port of Limay west of Manila. It was attempting to return to port after running into bad weather.
Sixteen of the 17 crewmembers were rescued from tanker, vessel tracking website vesselfinder.com said was 65-meters long and built in 2002.
Incident occurred as heavy rains fuelled by Typhoon Carina and seasonal monsoon lashed Manila and surrounding regions in recent days.
State weather service said monsoon had weakened by late Friday, giving authorities window of relative calm at sea to recover cargo.
Coast guard estimates extraction would take at least seven days.
It met with representatives of MT Terra Nova’s owner and contracted salvage company on Friday to discuss timeline.
Efforts to drain oil from Terra Nova are expected to start today as experts have observed apparently wider extent of oil spill, according to Philippine Coast Guard.
Philippines has struggled to contain serious oil spills in the past.
It took months to clean up after tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil sank off central island of Mindoro last year, contaminating waters and beaches of island and devastating fishing and tourism industries.
Another tanker sank off central island of Guimaras in 2006, spilling tens of thousands of gallons of oil destroyed marine reserve, ruined local fishing grounds and covered stretches of coastline in black sludge.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Time constraint PCG to prevent spill
By J.Lo
“If there is no prohibition, it’s always the call of the master of the ship,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is “racing against time” to prevent massive oil spill from occurring after tanker Terra Nova sank off coast of Bataan.
Based on assessment of PCG marine environmental protection unit, it would take seven days to drain 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel stored inside sunken tanker, according to PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
He said crew of the sunken tanker assured PCG that they were able to secure cargo hatch.
Balilo noted that so far, only oil slick was observed by PCG personnel in the area where Terra Nova was believed to have sunk. This is said to be operational oil used by the tanker.
Balilo said preventive measures like placing oil spill boom on affected area and preparation of dispersants are already in place if oil spill worsens.
Balilo said they have met with company they hired to salvage cargo and are awaiting their detailed plan on how will they retrieve capsized vessel.
He said they expect them to start siphoning oil once all necessary equipment arrive this weekend.
Limay, Bataan Mayor Nelson David hope action can already be taken to salvage tanker to prevent further oil spill at the site, which could become worst oil spill incident in the country.
Local chief executive said they have met with various agencies, including PCG and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
PCG was able to rescue 16 members of the crew and it has already deployed BRP Melchora Aquino to the site.
Three multi-role response vessels will be deployed to augment ongoing oil spill response operations.
Balilo said investigation by PCG and Maritime Industry Authority is already ongoing to determine what really happened.
Based on initial information, he said crew lost control of tanker while it was being towed back to port in Bataan.
He pointed out that there was no public storm warning signal in the area and tanker was not prohibited from sailing.
“Aside from bad weather, we will also look at the decision-making, if ship followed all protocols,” stressed Balilo.
The 10 crewmembers rescued by PCG have been fetched by their families while other six personnel went home after being treated in the hospital, PCG official said.
He added family of crewmember who drowned claimed the body.
Management of motor tanker vowed it would help bereaved family of dead sailor.
Portavaga Ship Management “is now in contact with late marine officer’s bereaved loved ones for proper transport of cadaver to Manila,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) called on government to implement contingency plan amid looming ecological disaster.
PAMALAKAYA vice chairman Ronnel Arambulo said fisherfolk across Manila Bay are already enduring numerous environmental crises such as adverse effects of reclamation and dredging and recent onslaught of Typhoon Carina and monsoon.
“We can’t afford another ecological disaster if this oil spill escalates across our fishing grounds… we demand immediate and appropriate measures to contain this looming ecological disaster,” Arambulo said.
Marine protection group Oceana also raised alarm on possible damage and harmful impact of Manila Bay oil spill to municipal waters in Limay and Mariveles in Bataan and Tanza, Rosario, Noveleta and Cavite City in Cavite, heavily dependent on fishing.
Oceana vice president Gloria Estenzo Ramos said concerned government agencies should make sure that laws are strictly enforced and appropriate penalties are implemented.
Group also wants government to increase fines to violators and craft more sanctions “based on damages caused on habitats, wildlife and people’s lives and livelihood.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
DOH lists medicines price freeze in ‘Carina’-hit areas
By J.Lo
Medicines covered by government’s price freeze, Department of Health (DOH) notified public hit by Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon.
Price freeze applies to Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Cainta in Rizal and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro, DOH said.
List of medicines price freeze applies can be accessed here includes doxycycline, antibiotic used to treat leptospirosis, bacterial disease acquired from contaminated floodwaters. Each 100-mg capsule of doxycycline can be sold for up to P128 only, based on DOH’s list.
DOH said public can report incidents of overpricing and violations of price freeze through DOH’s hotlines or through its email pddrugpricemonitoring@gmail.com.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also reminds consumers and retailers that Republic Act 7581 or Price Act mandates prices in areas placed under state of calamity or emergency “shall be frozen at their prevailing prices under automatic price control for period of 60 days unless sooner lifted.”
Besides medicines, DTI’s price freeze applies to essential goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, roots crops, pork, beef, poultry and eggs.
Other items that fall under price freeze are milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal and candles.
Trade Secretary Alfred Pascual earlier urged businesses to adhere to price freeze and said government will strictly monitor prices of items to ensure compliance.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman got Guinness for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ trailer
By Cynthia Montojo
“What…one million for every day of the year, that’s so awesome!” Ryan Reynolds received two certificates, while his co-star Hugh Jackman received their certificates for trailer for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” as most viewed movie trailer in 24 hours.
Guinness World Records recognized trailer for “Deadpool & Wolverine” as most viewed after it garnered 365 million global views across all platforms from February 11 to 12. Trailer premiered during last February’s Super Bowl LVIII.
Apart from this, Reynolds also received certificate that recognized Wrexham Racecourse Ground in Wales, United Kingdom, as oldest international football ground, having been in use for 147 years and 31 days as of April 5. Reynolds is the co-owner of Wrexham Football Club.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the third film in “Deadpool” film series.
Reynolds first starred as titular anti-hero character adapted from popular graphic novel with the same name in the movie released in 2016. Two years later in 2018, he returned to don famous red and black suit for its sequel “Deadpool 2.”
For the third film in the series, Deadpool finds himself crossing paths with another Marvel hero and X-Men member Wolverine, portrayed by Jackman.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is now showing in local theaters.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Baron Geisler reflects on ‘Moro’
By Cynthia Montojo
“Moro,” topbilled by Baron, Piolo Pascual, and Laurice Guillen, plus participation of Christopher de Leon and Joel Torre, began streaming on Netflix last July 19.
Actor Baron Geisler looked back at the production of Brillante Mendoza’s “Moro,” significant project given it was his first after undergoing rehabilitation.
There are also cameo appearances of Beauty Gonzales, Nikki Valdez, Felix Roco, Alvin Anson, Roland Inocencio, Dido dela Paz, Kirst Viray, and Onyl Torres.
In the film, Baron plays middle sibling to characters played by Piolo and actress Ina Feleo.
“Small things become big because they were not threshed out in earliest possible time,” shared Cebu-based actor on conflicts in the story, recalling how movie was shot in 2019 just before pandemic.
When pandemic hit, Baron said some aspects of the production had to be halted during lockdowns.
“I consider this my first big break because this project landed on my lap right after my rehabilitation program,” Baron stressed.
Baron was initially tapped by Mendoza to play elder brother, Piolo’s character, in supporting role, while Piolo would be middle sibling. Latter’s hectic schedule, however, did not synchronize with character’s shooting schedule.
“So Direk Brillante swapped our roles and I had to rehearse Piolo’s lines and dialogue,” Baron shared. “And I thank him so very much for being gracious in giving me his role…it was the start of bigger projects coming my way.”
Yusoph Mando, former commissioner of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, was present at film’s preview in Quezon City’s Victoria Sports Tower Cinema before “Moro” went to Netflix.
“I’m deeply touched by film’s portrayal of the events surrounding gruesome Mamasapano incident happened in Maguindanao Province sometime in 2015,” Mando said.
He praised “Moro” team for their “dedication to presenting more balanced and thoughtful narrative that shed light on complexities and realities faced by diverse communities in our country.”
“Your commitment to showcasing fairness, justice, and the perspective of both Muslims and non-Muslims affected by tragedy is truly commendable,” Mando ended.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
FMJ wants flood control masterplan
By Nidz Godino
PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR. INSPECTS RIZAL FLOODWAY
“Water doesn’t recognize boundaries…that’s why flood control has to be big plan,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said country needs to have flood control masterplan as it braces for more torrential rain during typhoon season that is expected to be worsened by looming La Niña and climate change.
Marcos visited and inspected Quezon and Rizal, two of the provinces inundated by incessant rains from Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon-induced rains in the past days.
He said comprehensive national plan on flood control should cover several regions, adding it also needs to consider changing weather patterns due to climate change that threaten communities previously have not been affected by floods.
“Let’s prepare for next flood…this is first typhoon within La Niña…this might be prolonged… so, we have to prepare for that… let’s think about preparing for that,” the President said.
According to Marcos, former public works and highways secretary Rogelio Singson has crafted flood management masterplan that would be implemented over more than two decades. But plan should be expanded, he said.
“Although it will work… and it crosses most of Luzon, for NCR ,National Capital Region…but we have no choice, we have to do something…we have to learn how to handle new normal,” Chief Executive said, adding plan would take 20 to 22 years.
Marcos was referring to P350-billion flood control masterplan, expected to benefit about 1.2 million people.
FMJ said because of sea level rise caused by climate change, dikes built across country could no longer protect low-lying communities during high tides.
Building higher dikes,would not solve problem, Marcos said, adding flood control masterplan must manage flooding to protect “production areas, residential communities and other important infrastructure.”
The President also expressed hope country could tap assistance from Loss and Damage Fund to find better solutions to flooding and other effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, Rizal Gov. Nina Ynarez told Marcos newly inaugurated Upper Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal was filled by two days of nonstop rain.
“We were together with inauguration of Wawa Dam and they were saying that…we saw it was empty and it would take six months for them to fill it up…as of now, with two days’ rain, it’s almost filled up,” Ynarez said.
Ynarez said without Wawa Dam, “most likely San Mateo and Montalban would be down and definitely Marikina and parts of Quezon City and even Pasig would be affected because of Laguna Lake.”
The governor submitted last year to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plan for reservoir below Wawa Dam.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, among Cabinet secretaries who joined Marcos in Rizal, said proposed reservoir in San Mateo and series of small dams below Wawa “is now under consideration for financing by Japanese government.”
Marcos also directed study on building of weirs along tributaries to control water flow from Sierra Madre down to Rizal and Metro Manila, as unimpeded water flow causes severe flooding during rainy season.
Weir is small barrier built across stream or river to control and raise water level slightly on upstream side, essentially small-scale dam.
“I don’t see weir here in this country seems to be appropriate for us…maybe it’s applicable here in the Philippines,” the President said.
Proposed 50-year drainage masterplan for Metro Manila is still in the works, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.
MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said agency has submitted masterplan’s terms of reference to DPWH that could help create and implement it.
Masterplan would determine “detailed engineering design” of drainage systems in entire Metro Manila, according to MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes in previous interviews late last year.
He stressed it would seek to prevent unstable flow of excess water due to varying sizes of drainages.
Proposed 50-year drainage masterplan would be funded by World Bank.
During torrential rains from southwest monsoon carried by Typhoon Carina, MMDA reported existing drainage systems in Metro Manila carried 74 mm per hour for more than 10 hours.
Figure was more than twice carrying capacity of drainages at 30 mm per hour, it noted.
Lipana said with rainfall from southwest monsoon allegedly exceeded that of Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, both drainages and pumping stations operated by MMDA could have been overwhelmed by such volume that was “beyond their capacity.”
Except for Libertad pumping station that caught fire, rest of 71 pumping stations remained operational during incessant rainfall, he added.
Lipana also blamed garbage for widespread flooding in metropolis, as well as lack of discipline of residents particularly those living near waterways in disposing their trash. He mentioned incident wherein flooding along EDSA near old MMDA building in Makati City subsided after agency’s personnel performed declogging and retrieved waste from nearby drainage.
Sen. Grace Poe questioned bloated budget for flood control projects which still failed to curb flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas after Typhoon Carina.
“Worsening flooding in Metro Manila appears not to complement increasing budget we are allocating for flood control projects every year,” Poe, former public services committee chair, said.
Poe vowed to scrutinize proposed flood control budget next year of DPWH and MMDA.
Poe is new Senate finance committee chair, taking on position vacated by former senator now Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
Finance committee is tasked to tackle national government expenditure program.
“In upcoming budget deliberation, we will scrutinize flood control budget of DPWH, MMDA and other agencies…did flood just flush away billions of funds for flood mitigation, with every downpour, our taxpayers are left shortchanged and wading through damaging and disease-carrying floods,” Poe asked.
According to 2024 General Appropriations Act, DPWH has P244.6-billion budget in its flood management program, significant chunk of its total P996.79-billion budget this year.
During budget deliberations last year, then senator now Senate President Francis Escudero hit DPWH’s proposed P255-billion flood control budget, surpassed total proposed budget of other agencies like the Department of National Defense and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
ISKUP! 