The Problem Floods in the Philippines

The whole morning blooms in a good shape of weather as we’re attending a workshop seminar somewhere in Diliman, Quezon City last September 26, 2009 of my memory still serves me right. There’s no sign of heavy downfall that time until the clouds shed it rains instantly in the rest of the day. In addition, it is also accompanied by some deafening thunder shocks that interrupt us inside the lecturing hall. It even kills the electricity for an hour that results to our unexpected break in the middle of the afternoon.

Serious flooding in the Philippines caused by a tropical storm

My dormitory that time was in Sta. Mesa, Manila. After the seminar at around 7:00pm, we have decided to take a cab to bring us up on our home. It’s hard for us to take one because every time we say our destination is, drivers are refusing that time. We have wondered why. Until, finally one driver told us that they can no longer proceed on our area because it was already flooded from LRT-Pedro Gil station to Pureza Station which our only way back home. Instead of taking a cab, we took a Jeepney that brought us up only on Seattle road corner Ramon Magsaysay blvd. near LRT-Gilmore Station. It is still raining so heavily. Some streets and establishments were lights off. Thanks to the MERALCO light posts, the highway was still illuminated. We took LRT-Gilmore station. Fortunately, it was offering a free service for the convenience of their passengers. We ride the train with our bare foot, high-folded pants in a wet-look mode. How embarrassing that moment. On the top view, we have seen people that are stranded of the upper level of their buildings because of the almost 10-foot flood level along the R.Magsaysay Blvd. The worst part is located at the V. Mapa Station near SM Centerpoint. The lower ground floor of that mall was filled by flash floods even to the extent of reaching the second floor. Cars are clogging. Hundreds of people were trapped on the LRT-V. Mapa Station because of they have no option to go down. Most of them choose to spend their night there. Same situation goes on our final destination, Pureza Sation. There, we have no option but to take our journey way back home with a water level on our neck. It took us an hour upon reaching our dorm instead of 5 minutes’ walk when there is no intervention. Some residents had used the opportunity to earn income, they even made improvised boats so that the LRT commuters can crossed the roads without hassles. Fixed price were applied. I think it is ranging from 50php-100php. It is too much for us that’s we took the risky walk instead. Later, we got the news that the name of the typhoon was Ondoy and it leaves us an unforgettable experience.

Little girl looking down on flooded homes

That whole day of adventure was very tiring indeed caused by the anticipated floods that move in a flash. In the news, the economic region of Metro Manila and many adjoining provinces incurred damages to both infrastructure and agriculture. As of September 28, 2009, total damages from Ondoy were estimated at $100 million. Internet cafés, entertainment plazas, banks, food stores, building agencies, and stores were soaked with water and mud. Many people were warned of leptospirosis.

My story above is the typical experience of a Filipino during flash floods.

As the archipelago near the equator and a part of the pacific region were the tropical depressions are created, Philippines is experiencing 20 average typhoons annually. Some of them are leaving massive destruction for the infrastructure and crop fields of the country.

This is a life-long problem here in the Philippines. Flash floods are continuously ransacking the economy and yet the government doesn’t still have a solution.

I would suggest the upgrading of the water flood systems in Metro Manila so that the water floods can flow smoothly going to the rivers. Planting more trees in the urban areas is also necessary to avoid this phenomenon during the heavy rains. Also, the citizen should cooperate. Many of them are throwing their trash anywhere (rivers, canals and other drainage system). They must be warned for the hazardous effects of their doings.

All must be put in a proper so that we can avoid this occurrence totally.