Biazon: Flood crisis too big for LGUs, national gov’t must step in

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon on Thursday called for national government intervention in addressing the worsening flood situation in urban areas, stressing that the crisis is already beyond the capability of local governments.

“We need to bring this to the higher-ups because some of these problems are beyond what the local government can handle,” Biazon said in a radio interview, pointing out that massive infrastructure issues like outdated drainage systems and expressway expansions fall outside the scope of LGU control.

He said agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and even private companies such as Skyway operators should be held accountable for their role in contributing to the capital’s flooding issues.

“Our drainage system is really difficult. It requires billions and billions of pesos,” Biazon said. “We need dedicated funds for flood control.”

Biazon revealed that Muntinlupa’s drainage system, much of which leads into Laguna Lake, can no longer cope with the increasing volume of rainwater, runoff, and urban expansion. He stressed that rehabilitation must go beyond patchwork fixes and instead overhaul the entire system.

“We need to rehabilitate the entire drainage system of the city because it can’t just be localized,” he said in Filipino. “We can start it, but it can’t be done in such a short time.”

The city has already crafted a flood control master plan, but Biazon admitted the city’s budget is not enough to fully implement it. He reiterated the urgent need for national government funding and coordination, especially with infrastructure that affects multiple jurisdictions.

“The national government should step in because of the huge amount needed — and because there are infrastructures that affect us but are not under our control,” Biazon said.

The mayor expressed particular concern over the upcoming SLEX widening project, warning that converting soil into concrete will worsen flooding in Muntinlupa.

“We’re anxious about the upcoming SLEX widening because that’s going to make things worse,” he said. “When you cement land — which used to absorb water — that water has to go somewhere. In this case, it will go to us.”

“Our drainage system might not be able to handle that volume of water. Of course, we’ll overflow.”

He further warned that the volume of floodwater from SLEX will flow toward Muntinlupa, burdening an outdated system already struggling to contain local runoff.

“At the level of the city government, we’ve developed a masterplan… but it won’t completely solve the problem,” he admitted.

The only technically feasible solution, he said, would be to construct a new drainage line — but even that poses another challenge.

“Engineering-wise, the easiest thing we can do is to construct a new drainage line,” he said. “The problem is, it will cut through private properties.”