SUBMERGED. Rescuers assist residents along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina in July 2024. The QC government on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2024) urged its 142 barangays to help strengthen its flood mitigation efforts under the “Tanggal Bara, Iwas Baha” program. (PNA file photo by Ben Briones)
MANILA – The Quezon City government has tapped its 142 villages under its “Tanggal Bara, Iwas Baha” program to strengthen its flood mitigation efforts this rainy season.
In a press release on Wednesday, Mayor Joy Belmonte directed the city’s barangays to prioritize the clean-up of clogged drainage systems, sewers and street inlets, manholes, and interceptors.
The city government needs the help and cooperation of barangay officials and residents, she said, adding that the city government cannot do the cleaning and declogging alone.
“This can be achieved through regular maintenance of drainage systems in their respective jurisdictions,” she said.
Belmonte particularly cited the city’s flood-prone barangays, among them Del Monte, Masambong, Bagong Silangan, Doña Imelda, Roxas, Tatalon, and Apolonio Samson.
“These barangays suffered the most during the onslaught of habagat (southwest monsoon) and Typhoon Carina,” she said.
Belmonte also noted the increase in the amount of rainwater experienced during the recent typhoons and monsoon rains due to climate change.
She expressed hope that through the program, floodwaters in those areas would recede faster.
Based on data from the QC Engineering Department (QCED), from January to September, 647 de-clogging operations were conducted by the city government, collecting about 50 truckloads of garbage.
Moreover, 61 flood control projects consisting of road and drainage projects and waterways infrastructure have been implemented since 2023.
The QCED also implements green engineering initiatives through 224 rainwater harvesting systems and 148 proposed floodwater detention basins. (PNA)
