Press Release
April 28, 2009

REVILLA WARNS AGAINST EARLY RAINY SEASON

Senator Bong Revilla today urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to declog canals and waterways in different parts of the country to address the early rainy season.

According to the senator, the DPWH should conduct thorough declogging of major drainage facilities nationwide to suppress severe flooding that may be brought by severe rain showers and typhoon.

He cited the recent report of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) a low pressure area has been spotted off Mindanao that could develop into a typhoon in the next five days.

"Maintenance of major flood control systems is among the mandate of the DPWH. They must not wait for the floods before they act," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Revilla stressed that flash floods occur in various parts of the country everytime there is a typhoon or even just incessant rains, just like the severe flooding in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro early this year that left at least five people dead and affected more than 40,000 families.

"A systematic declogging of major drainage facilities will prevent, if not, reduce the level of floods that cause casualty and damage to properties," he said.

The lawmaker likewise appealed to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to anticipate the usual flooding in the National Capital Region (NCR) every rainy season.

He pointed out that declogging and desilting of drainage systems as well as continuous dredging of open waterways in the metropolis are among the functions of the MMDA.

"Last week, the unexpected rain shower caused temporary floods in some parts of Metro Manila and nearby places, snarling traffic and stranding commuters. Expect the worse when typhoon comes," Revilla warned.

He reiterated his appeal last year to the public to exercise environmental discipline by refraining from throwing garbage in canals and esteros. "Garbage blocks the pumping stations and it eventually goes back to the residents along with the flood," Revilla added.

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