Flood Control

The Government, Presidential Decree No. 1152

The Presidential Decree No. 1152, also known as the Philippine Environment
Code, which states: whereas, the environment has become matter of vital
concern to the government; whereas, the national leaders has taken a step
towards this direction by creating the National Environment Protection
Council under the Presidential Decree No. 1121; whereas, it is necessary that
the creation of the Council be complemented with the launching of a
comprehensive program of environmental protection and management; and,
whereas, such a program can assume tangible and meaningful significance
only by establishing specific environment management policies and
prescribing environment quality standards in a Philippine Environment Code.
Chapter 4, section 34, of this code focuses on Flood Control and Natural
Calamities. It states: the control of soil erosion on the banks of rivers, the
shores or lakes and sea shores, the control of flow and flooding in and from
rivers and lakes, the conservation of water, the needs of fisheries and wildlife
and all other recreational uses of natural water, measures to control the
damming, diversion, taking, and use of natural water, so far as any act that
may affect the quality and availability of natural water for other purposes,
and measures to stimulate research in matters relative to natural water and
soil conservation and the application of knowledge thereby acquired.
Resource: http://www.chanrobles.com/pd1152.htm
Localized Flood-Control Areas
Camanava, which is a term used to describe Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas,
and Valenzuela. Whenever a typhoon hits the area, flood waters increase and
cause many water-borne diseases and disrupt the transportation systems
which in turn affects economic activities. Local residents are forced to
relocate as houses and buildings sink below water.
Japan, a strategic partner of the Philippines in environmental catastrophes
contributed in building a 5 billion Peso megadike in the Camanaya area. The
megadike is suppose to control floods occurring in low-lying areas in the area
that stretch over 18.48 square kilometres. Aside from this, an 8.6 kilometer
polder dike was constructed near the Malabon River that serves to hold
floodwater. These projects aim to help the living conditions of the residents
of the Camanaya provinces as well as improve economic development.
Another project for flood control is the construction of the Abucay, Tondo
pumping station. It is the newest of the 17 pumping stations headed by the
MMDA and is expected to lessen floods within the Sampaloc and St. Cruz
areas. But pumping stations would be useless if the drainage system would
be clogged by debris.

Resource: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?
articleId=445326&publicationSubCategoryId=65
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/93477/Japan-to-turn-over-flood-control-project-to-RP
Flood-Control After Ondoy
Ondoy, international name Ketsana, struck the country last September 26, 2009.
The typhoon affected many areas in Manila and the northern Luzon; areas which
arent accustomed to floods. The Department of Public Works and Highways is
planning to construct a flood-control and drainage system in 12 key-river basins in
different parts of the country. These areas have been identified to accumulate mass
amounts of water should another Ondoy arrive. These areas include Agos in
Calabarzon (Region 4A); Yawa, Basud and Quirangay in the Bicol region (Region 5);
Amburayan in the Ilocos region (Region 1); CAR; Balete in Mimaropa (Region 4-B);
the Aklan river in the Western Visayas (Region 6), Dungcaan in the Eastern Visayas
(Region 8); Guinabasan in the Central Visayas (Region 7); Lake Mainit-Tubay in
Caraga (Region 13); Imponan in the Northern Mindanao (Region 10); Tumaga in
Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9); Lipadas in the Davao region (Region 11); and
Silway-Popong-Sinaual (Polomolok) in Soccsksaren (Region 12)

Resource: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2009-1007&sec=1&aid=104508
Marikina City Flood Mitigation Countermeasure Program
Marikina is one of the cities that easily floods when typhoons or heavy rains
hit the Philippines. It is composed of 15 barangays with an estimated
population of 447,000 in 2004. The area has become a basin or a graben
valley due to earthquakes that had hit the country in the past. The Pasig
River runs through the city, which overflows whenever hard rains occur.

The establishment of the Marikina City Flood Mitigation Countermeasure

Program was created to help decrease flooding within the area. From 1992 to
2004, there has been a significant decrease in flood-accumulation from
27.52% in 1992 (left) to 19.04% in 2004 (right). This project targets the
barangays who are most affected by the overflow of the Pasig river during
rainfalls. The project includes the building of concrete roads, which lessened
small debris entering drainage systems; the construction and fixing of
outfalls which is allows for the passage of water away from the city; handling
operations that hastens the flow of floodwaters into creeks; the destruction
of squatter residences, which obstructs waterways; the continuation of
improving the existing diversion channels and interceptors. Ever since the
program was initiated, the number of residents living in Marikina who are
exposed to flooding on a yearly basis has decreased from 1,045 in 1992 to
479 in 2004.

Resources: Marikina City Flood Mitigation Countermeasure Program,

http://emi.pdc.org/soundpractices/Metro-Manila/SP5-MM-Flood-MitigationMarikina.pdf