FLOODGATE INSPECTION – Nag-ocular inspection si Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez sa na-damage na Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate and Pumping Station sa Navotas City hapon ng Huwebes, kasama sina Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Committee on Appropriation Chairman at Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco at Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco. Nakita rin nila sa pagtungo roon ang baha sa ilang lugar sa Malabon at Navotas. Ayon kay Rep. Tiangco, napigilan sana ng navigational gate ang matinding baha sa Navotas at mga karatig lugar. Nanawagan din si Speaker Romualdez na rebyuhin ang flood control masterplan upang tiyaking tama ang implementasyon at paggamit ng pondo para sa flood control projects.
Kuha ni VER NOVENO
Pondo para sa rehab ng Navotas floodgate tiyakin
Speaker Romualdez:
INATASAN ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang House committee on appropriations na tiyakin na mayroong pondo para sa pagsasaayos ng Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate sa Navotas City, na nakadagdag umano sa malawakang pagbaha sa Metro Manila.
“The recent typhoon exposed critical weaknesses in our infrastructure, and the damaged Navotas floodgate significantly worsened flooding in Metro Manila. Immediate action is essential,” ani Speaker Romualdez.
“We must immediately allocate the necessary funds to repair and reinforce the gate to withstand future typhoons and protect our communities,” sabi ni Speaker kay Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, ang chairman ng House appropriations committee.
Ibinigay ni Speaker Romualdez ang direktiba matapos inspeksyunin ang Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate, kasama sina Co, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco at iba pang opisyal.
Sa hiling ni Rep. Tiangco, pinuntahan ni Speaker Romualdez ang Navotas noong Huwebes matapos itong magsagawa ng relief operation sa Quezon City at San Juan.
Nauna rito, pumunta rin sa lugar si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. upang inspeksyunin ang gate at inatasan ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na bilisan ang isinasagawang pagkumpuni.
“The President has rightly pointed out the urgent need to fix the Navotas floodgate. We in the House will ensure the necessary funds are available without delay,” saad pa ni Speaker Romualdez.
Ayon kay Rep. Tiangco, malaki ang maitutulong ng Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate upang malimitahan ang baha sa Navotas at mga karatig lugar.
Ang floodgate ay nasira noong Hunyo matapos itong sayaran ng isang barge kaya wala ng humaharang sa tubig mula sa dagat kapag high tide. Ang Navotas ay mayroong 81 pumping stations subalit hindi nito kaya ang dami ng tubig baha.
“In 2009, despite having only 24 Bombastik stations, we controlled flooding during Typhoon Ondoy,” sabi ni Rep. Tiangco.
“The current issue is the damaged floodgate, which was designed to prevent seawater from entering during high tide. Without a functioning floodgate, even our 81 pumping stations can’t manage the flooding,” dagdag pa ng solon.
Sinabi ni Tiangco na nakikipag-ugnayan na ito sa MMDA upang magsampa ng legal na aksyon laban sa kompanyang may-ari ng barge na nakasira sa gate.
Ayon sa MMDA, maaaring sa Agosto pa matapos ang pagkumpuni sa floodgate.
“We’re exploring legal options to hold those accountable for the floodgate damage,” wika pa ni Rep. Tiangco. “This incident has caused significant suffering for the affected families, and we are discussing potential cases with the MMDA. The barge’s forced entry, despite warnings, was not accidental.”
Sinabi ni Rep. Tiangco na walang humpay ang pagtatrabaho ng kanilang mga pumping stations subalit hindi nito kinakaya ang dami ng tubig.
“Our Bombastik Pumping Stations are working continuously to reduce flooding, but they can’t fully address the issue if the floodgates are compromised,” paliwanag ni Tiangco.
“Repairs to the floodgate have begun, but progress has been slowed by recent typhoons. This situation could have been avoided if the vessel had not forced its way into the floodgate,” punto pa ni Rep. Tiangco.
