Marcos praises Marikina’s ‘scientific, data-driven’ flood control program

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has lauded the flood mitigation efforts of the local government of Marikina City, former mayor and now the city's first district Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro said on Saturday.

"Sustainable daw 'yung ating flood mitigation. It's scientific and data driven," Teodoro told this reporter in an interview.

"Sabi ko sa ating pangulo meron tayong data historically from Typhoon Ondoy, habagat (southwest monsoon), Typhoon Ulysses, and Typhoon Crising. Nakita naman 'yung dramatic decreasing ng flooding because of the excellent design of the drainage system. May interconnectivity leading to the outfall area," Teodoro added.

Teodoro also discussed with the President the unfinished pumping stations of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, saying that the national government will construct additional pumping stations in Barangay Calumpang and Sto. Niño.

"Baka next year 'yan yung funding. Pero yung mga hindi pa nila tapos na mga drainage systems pipilitin nilang matapos late within the year based on the existing drainage master plan na meron ang city," Teodoro said.

The lawmaker noted that Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has committed that all drainage systems of the national government will be aligned and synchronized with Marikina City’s master plan.

Teodoro, a former local chief executive, underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach between the national and local government units in addressing the perennial flooding problem in the country.

He also emphasized the importance of inter-city alliances and a collaborative approach to further boost flood prevention efforts.

"Kakausapin namin 'yung nasa upstream community tulad ng Montalban at San Mateo, downstream 'yung Cainta saka Pasig para isang effort [clearing of esteros and creeks, and widening of river]," Teodoro said.

Just recently, Teodoro's wife, Mayor Marjorie Ann "Maan" Teodoro, was elected focal mayor for flood mitigation and management by the League of Cities of the Philippines.

"Tingin ko naghahanap sila ng template ng model. Siguro 'yun ang immediate effect sa city. Mas dapat sustainable tayo kasi tinitingnan tayo in terms of accountability. Hindi na rin tayo accountable sa mga taga-Marikina, kundi accountable na rin tayo sa ibang lugar to serve as a model for an effective sustainable flood mitigation program," Teodoro explained.

"Kaya nga successful sa Marikina kasi ang stakeholding, ang ownership, hindi lang naman gobyerno lang, kundi lahat ng tao — malinis, hindi nagtatapon ng basura kung saan-saan, 'yung land use natin sinusunod natin nang mabuti, sumusunod sa mga proper easement, may maintenance works ang river at saka dredging sa mga esteros," the lawmaker added.

Teodoro said the city's year-round dredging of the river and other waterways has been very effective in increasing resiliency against flooding.

He noted that Marikina is the only city that has its own amphibious excavators that regularly dredge Marikina River to maintain its water-carrying capacity, as heavy rains cause siltation.

"So 'yung dredging natin is by administration, meaning meron tayong sariling equipment," Teodoro said.

Aside from continuous dredging, the local government also builds drainage outfalls so that lateral drainage systems have outlets for water discharge.

"Kaya hindi tayo masyado binabaha na ngayon kasi may mga lateral drainages leading to a major outfall area," Teodoro said.