Use emergency powers to address Metro flooding, Duterte urged

Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo on Tuesday urged President Duterte to use emergency powers to address the massive flooding problem that has hit Metro Manila and other areas in the country.

Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said the recurring flooding in huge parts of the country has become a source of concern.

“This never-ending problem of flooding may already need the emergency powers of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.

The administration lawmaker said he and other local officials are becoming frustrated over the recurring flood issues that threaten property and lives.

“The details of the emergency powers to be given to President Duterte can be tackled in a Flood Summit that he earlier proposed,” he said

Castelo stated that he had already issued strong appeal to the government to implement projects that would “mitigate the effects of flooding” as a priority of government.

He lamented that there seems to be no solution in sight for the inundation of many areas in the country.

“The government should speed up the Metro Manila Flood Control Management Project (MMFCMP) which is crucial in ending the problem of intense flooding in Metro Manila during the wet season. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank (WB) already funded this 125-billion project aimed at making Metro Manila safe from flooding,” Castelo said.

“A Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study showed the economy loses 12.4 billion per day from flooding which results in stalled vehicle traffic that in turn disrupts businesses,” Castelo added.

According to him, a focus on the flooding problem “would also show to the public the government’s determination to protect the welfare of Filipinos” who have lost substantial economic opportunities and risked physical wellbeing because of floods triggered by rains.

“The proposed emergency powers to be given to the President will allow agencies, primarily the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to cut through red tape in implementing the anti-flood projects and relieve Metro Manila of the recurring problem,” said Castelo.