Metro Roads Flooded Anew By Monsoon Rains

Heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon flooded several roads in Metro Manila anew yesterday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

As of 3 p.m., flooding over a foot deep was reported along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Dalandanan, Valenzuela City.

Gutter-level flooding was recorded along Taft Avenue at Pedro Gil and along Roxas Boulevard northbound toward the US embassy in Manila.

In Malabon, flooding was observed along Catmon-Gov. Pascual Avenue, Santulan-M.H. del Pilar Street, Hulong Duhat-Don Basilio Bautista Street, Maysilo-M.H. del Pilar Street, F. Sevilla Boulevard and Barangay San Agustin-Rizal Avenue Extension.

The Quezon City government also reported flooding in several barangays, including Del Monte, Sto. Domingo, Roxas, Damayang Lagi and Sienna.

The effects of the continuous rains were also being felt outside Metro Manila.

In San Simon, Pampanga, 850 people were evacuated after flooding affected 14 barangays.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda sent 5,000 family food packs to affected residents, while free boat rides were provided to residents of Barangay San Miguel who needed to cross the river.

Suspensions

Due to the heavy rainfall and flooding, the MMDA and the Makati City government suspended the number coding scheme on Friday, Aug. 14.

Malacañang likewise ordered government offices in Metro Manila and 12 provinces to shift to appropriate alternative work arrangements due to continuous heavy rains associated with the southwest monsoon.

Under Memorandum Circular 126 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the directive covers the National Capital Region as well as Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon and Occidental Mindoro.

Agencies providing basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response and other vital services were directed to continue operations and render the necessary services.

Face-to-face classes were also canceled in several areas nationwide, including Valenzuela City, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Manila, Malabon, Marikina, San Juan, Las Piñas and Quezon City.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders to monitor schools and key routes and increase police presence in school zones, transport hubs, major roads and flood-prone areas to assist students who may be stranded.

At least 8.42 million learners in 12,477 public schools across eight regions were affected by class suspensions.

Damage mounts

As of Friday, the number of affected people had reached 4,177,097, with 51,912 staying in 523 evacuation centers. More than P495.4 million worth of assistance had been provided to affected residents.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said estimated damage to infrastructure and agriculture after almost two weeks of continuous rainfall had reached more than P2.995 billion.

Infrastructure damage accounted for more than P2.647 billion, while losses to agriculture, including crops, poultry and livestock, exceeded P347.3 million.

At least 1,428 houses were destroyed in the most affected provinces.

The number of reported deaths remained at 21, including 15 in Benguet, three in Rizal and three in Batangas. Reported injuries stood at 17, while three people remained missing in Alaminos, Pangasinan; Batangas City and Candelaria, Quezon.

Schools suffer

The disruption has also taken a heavy toll on education.

According to the Department of Education, a total of 837 classrooms in 230 schools were still being used as evacuation centers by 6,840 affected families.

Some 1,244 schools suffered damage, including 1,395 destroyed classrooms, 1,423 classrooms with major damage and 4,259 classrooms with minor damage.

Non-infrastructure damage, meanwhile, included 16,981 learning materials, 579 pieces of IT equipment and 11,151 chairs.

Current response and recovery requirements have reached P243.984 million, including P35.293 million for the cleanup and clearing operations of 1,244 schools and P208.691 million for the minor repair of 4,259 classrooms.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department was moving to minimize learning loss while prioritizing the safety of students, teachers and staff.

“The safety of our students, teachers and staff is our top priority. However, while ensuring their safety, we cannot allow the education of our youth to be disrupted for an extended period,” he said.

DepEd said schools where classrooms remained unsafe or inaccessible due to lingering flooding or their use as evacuation centers were authorized to implement alternative learning delivery modalities.

“DepEd is doing everything to ensure our students can immediately return to safe learning,” said Angara.

Dizon backs EDSA potholes probe

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, backed a Senate probe into the P1.8-billion EDSA rehabilitation project yesterday after potholes emerged along the highway during prolonged monsoon rains, citing the lack of drainage and accumulated rainwater.

“Legislative oversight is essential to ensuring transparency and protecting public funds,” he said in a statement on One PH. – With additional reports from Emmanuel Tupas, Helen Flores, Bella Cariaso, Michael Punongbayan and Ric Sapnu