The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday reported that parts of Metro Manila experienced flooding due to intermittent southwest monsoon (Habagat) rains enhanced by Typhoon Fabian on Wednesday noon.
Some parts of metropolis inundated by floodwaters and rendered impassable to light vehicles as of 12:30 p.m. are the following roads:
Mandaluyong:
Edsa-Ortigas (from POEA building)-8 inches deep;
Edsa-Magallanes (Pasong Tamo tunnel)-8 inches;
F. Ortigas-Boni Avenue;
Maysilo Circle -12 inches deep;
Taft Avenue near the National Museum;
Ramon Magsaysay-Pureza;
España Antipolo-San Diego;
Buendia-Filmore;
Andrew-Aurora
Manila:
Roxas Blvd-Quirino Avenue (service road)-8 inches;
Taft corner Ma Orosa -16 inches deep;
Quezon City:
Aurora-Araneta-8 inches deep;
E. Rodriguez-Araneta-10 inches deep
Pumping stations
The MMDA also assured that the agency is continuous on its efforts to solve flooding concerns in the metropolis.
This include dredging, desilting, and clearing of waterways, adding that all 67 pumping stations around the National Capital Region are operational.
On Wednesday, MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. led the inauguration at the Aglipay Bridge and Pumping Station in Mandaluyong to address the flooding problem in low lying nearby communities like the areas of Boni Avenue and F. Ortigas.
Abalos said that the pumping station is equipped with two submersible engine pumps.
The water, which would be pumped from the area, will go to San Juan River while trash nets will be installed in place to haul garbage to ensure that trash won’t damage the pumps.
During the ceremony, Abalos said that the MMDA is studying the Metro Manila terrains and is planning to add pumping stations as part of the agency’s initiative to mitigate flooding in the metropolis.
“Regardless of how much and how frequent we pump flood water, if the public is still throwing their garbage anywhere, the problem won’t be addressed. This is why we need to strictly enforce sanction for violators and involve them in cleaning our waterways,” Abalos said.
The MMDA chief also said he had already appealed to Metro Manila mayors to pass a resolution penalizing those who indiscriminately dump their waste and include community service as sanction for violators.
Suspended
CNN Philippines, meanwhile, reported that classes and work in some areas affected by monsoon rains were ordered suspended on Wednesday.
The University of Santo Tomas in Manila suspended face-to-face classes and office work at 12 noon. “Asynchronous activities may be given to continue educational delivery,” UST said in an advisory posted on Twitter.
Governor Abet Garcia canceled classes in all levels and work in government offices in Bataan, except for those involved in disaster risk management.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 vaccination sites in Bataan People’s Center and Vista Mall will remain in operation, Garcia said in a post on Facebook, CNN Philippines added.
The University of the Philippines-Manila also announced the cancelation of face-to-face and online classes, as well as on-site and remote work.
Miriam College in Quezon City also canceled on-site work and advised its employees to go home immediately to avoid being stranded due to flash floods.
The Senate allowed the early dismissal of officers and employees at 1 p.m. “due to the inclement weather and flooding in many areas in Metro Manila,” Secretary Myra Marie Villarica said in an advisory.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, suspended work in all offices under the judiciary branch in Metro Manila at 12 noon, CNN Philippines reported.
Monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Fabian and Tropical Storm Cempaka, which is outside the country’s monitoring area, are expected in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands in the next 24 hours, CNN Philippines also reported.