Gone are the days when every time a storm or a typhoon hits the country, Navotas City

is always seen submerged in floodwaters.

The situation now in the coastal city is totally different.

While most parts in the metropolis were left flooded brought about by typhoon “Domeng,” in Navotas residents are now one in saying flooding in the coastal city has virtually become a “thing of the past.”

Residents were pointing to several pumping stations strategically built and located in areas where flooding during high tides and typhoons is prevalent.

Naturally, the residents, one of them is Ricardo Tanyago, 60, of Barangay Tanza, were all praises for their local officials led by Mayor John Rey Tiangco and brother Rep. Toby Tiangco for prioritizing flood control projects.

Rep. Toby, who served as mayor for over a decade, initiated several projects in the city, including the establishments of a number of pumping stations which have almost tripled after his successor, Mayor John Rey have put up more.

Over the past few days despite torrential rains, flooding problem has barely been felt in the city because of the over 40 anti-flood machines that effectively pumped out floodwaters to the Manila Bay, the Tiangco brothers said.

“Lahat ng aming mga pumping stations ay gumagana kaya malaki ang naitutulong ng mga ito upang mapigilan ang pagtaas ng tubig, matataas din ang aming mga dike na maaring pumigil sa tubig baha sakaling umapaw ang tubig sa ilog,” they said.

They added these pumping stations have been serving as protection from the Malabon-Navotas River in case it overflows, particularly during heavy rainfall and typhoons.

In the past, especially during the time of their (Tiangco brothers) predecessors, most parts in Navotas were submerged in floodwaters which forced the local government to evacuate most poor residents to higher grounds.

“But it’s a different story now because we barely use our several evacuation centers since most residents could comfortably stay inside their homes during rainy days and typhoons,” the mayor said.

He added his administration in close coordination with the public works and highways department has been starting to construct these so-called box culverts, especially along main roads in the city.

“These (box culverts) have been found to be very effective in mitigating flooding, that’s why we are constructing these to help our existing pumping stations pump out the floodwaters,” Mayor John Rey said.

Just the same, the Navotas chief executive told the Daily Tribune the city’s Joint Rescue Team and the Local Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Office have always been on alert and are regularly monitoring the situation as rainy seasons had officially started.

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