Students, residents bat for effective flood control amid severe flooding in Taft
by Aianna Goyena and Andreah David
Posing threats to public health and disrupting economic activities, students and workers along Taft Avenue, Manila, urgently call for action from the authorities to address the long-standing flooding problem in the area.
With no viable alternatives, public workers persist in fulfilling their duties despite the hazards of the floods. At the same time, students face inconvenience traveling amid floods that can reach an ankle-deep level.
Although consistent, the flooding in the area often arises unpredictably, forcing students to adjust to whatever the situation requires.
“Tiis-tiis na lang o kaya magbabaon ng tsinelas or plastic boots, kumbaga ako or kami na lang ng mga kasama ko ‘yong mag-a-adjust,” shared Kristine Salalima, a BA Political Science student at the University of the Philippines Manila.
Students also cited cases where they were not able to prepare at all. In such situations, Salalima said that they are compelled to think with the bahala na mindset so long as they can accomplish their academic duties, which they hesitate to defer unless there is a directive instructing them.
“Sana i-address mismo ‘yong cause ng pagbaha, hindi sana inaasa sa mga tao or mamamayan ‘yong pag-adjust or makuntento na ‘sanay’ naman na ‘yong mga tao,” she added.
Similarly, both tricycle drivers, Alexander and Alo, stated that they still operate their vehicles during floods as many passengers rely on their service during inclement weather.
They added that they might lose about Php 500, which could already be used to cover their family’s needs and expenses if they do not work.
Elsie Evasco, a small business owner in the area, likewise chooses to continue working amid unfavorable weather conditions. According to Evasco, vendors who offer products that are less likely to be purchased easily are even more affected by the flooding.
Paolo Hernandez, a college instructor at the UP College of Pharmacy, shared that despite the stress, restlessness, and health risks from flood exposure, he still chooses to push through as there are no alternative routes that he can take to go to work.
As someone affected by the flooding since his student years, Hernandez urged both the local and national government to do better, stressing that the persistent flooding disrupts economic activity and may overwhelm the healthcare system in the future.
“Talo ang mamamayan, talo ang ekonomiya,” Hernandez noted.
While the other three point to improper waste disposal as the cause of the problem, Hernandez raised inadequate drainage systems and the reclamation activity in Manila Bay as other possible factors contributing to the issue.
The Manila City Engineering Summit, held on Nov. 28, bared that the insufficient sewage and drainage systems cause the flood problem in Manila. However, it was clarified that the reclamation project in Manila Bay is not linked with the flood mitigation office.
The authorities reported that they aim to install a one-meter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe and energize the pumping stations in Manila, specifically in Padre Faura, Remedios, and Estero de Abad. These pumping stations are said to be impeded by the “Remedios outfall,” or the vast amount of trash coming from the inland.
They also mentioned the planned optimization of the Roxas Boulevard interceptor to help divert water flow from Manila Bay to the pumping station at Luneta.
According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), current measures are not only concentrated on declogging, it is also focused on improving the water flow systems to help fix the flooding concern.
“Sana ‘yong action and concerted efforts doon sa pang-long term na solution ilagay, hindi sana sa band-aid solution lang, ang tagal ng problema nito, sana pangmatagalan din ‘yong solution,” Salalima stressed.
“Kung gagamitin ang budget for this, sana sa tama, ‘yong makikinabang lahat, hindi ‘yong further na magko-cause ng problem,” Salalima on highlighting the need for efficient budget allocation.
