MANILA, Philippines — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said on Thursday that the government would pursue the construction of detention basins aside from the continued dredging and de-clogging operations to increase the capacity of the San Juan River and reduce flooding in areas around the waterway.
Dizon said he came out with the idea following his inspection in the area where the river overflowed which caused flooding triggered by the nonstop rain due to the southwest monsoon or "habagat."
He told The Manila Times that the water from the Greenhills-Ortigas area was being pumped toward the San Juan River, but the river eventually reached its capacity and could no longer receive additional water.
"When this is already full, there is nowhere else for us to put the water," Dizon said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief said the river's capacity could be increased through continued dredging, but longer-term measures were also needed to temporarily store excess water before it reaches the river.
Dizon identified an area in Sitio Kaingin Bukid in Barangay Apolonio Samson, Quezon City as a possible site for a retarding or detention basin, but said the project would require coordination with the city government because of the presence of informal settler families and the need to secure sufficient land.
"We will be closely coordinating with Mayor Joy Belmonte to speed up the construction. We really need to build detention and water storage areas upstream," he said.
Dizon said that the detention basins would hold water before it reaches the San Juan River, delaying the river's rise and reducing the risk of overflow.
He warned that once the San Juan River and the Pasig River reached the same level, there would be nowhere for the water to drain.
Dizon said the government would also continue dredging and de clogging the river and increase pumping capacity around the area.
He said the government would also remove the large volume of garbage that accumulated around the river and pumping facilities.
He also said additional flood-control works would be undertaken on both sides of the Araneta area, also in the city, next year, although the size and design would depend on the availability of land.
"We need to coordinate with the local government especially with its Drainage Master Plan. Once we identify how much land is available, then we can properly design it," Dizon said.
He said the public works department had reviewed proposed flood-mitigation projects for 2027 to ensure that they would be consistent with the city's overall drainage plan.
"Everything is coordinated with the LGU (local government unit). Everything is consistent with the Drainage Master Plans," Dizon said.
He said this approach was intended to prevent the construction of disconnected flood-control projects that could fail to address the city's overall drainage needs.
Dizon also stressed the need for residents to properly dispose of garbage, particularly in esteros and drainage systems.
"For me, it's just about everyone helping each other. We just need a little discipline in disposing of garbage. Don't throw it into the esteros or the drainage systems," he added.
Dizon said the government would continue implementing repairs and rehabilitation projects, but emphasized that proper water management remained critical to preventing flooding.
