Metro mayors sign landmark covenant to protect waterways

To avoid massive flooding similar to the situation when typhoon "Ondoy" (international name: Ketsana) hit the country last year, Metro Manila mayors signed a landmark covenant to protect waterways (esteros). The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the mayors will formally sign the covenant at a ceremony on Friday, just days before the September 26 anniversary of Ondoy. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the mayors' "Estero Declaration" is part of the campaign to control environmental pollution and prevent flooding in the metropolis. Under the "Estero Declaration," the mayors will implement their respective anti-littering ordinances and clean and dredge the esteros, creeks, and other waterways located within their jurisdiction. "This is a big event in a way that we have finally gotten the full support of the mayors in coming up with measures to combat floods. Flooding is a very serious problem that should be acted upon by all concerned sectors, not just the MMDA," Tolentino said on the MMDA website. The mayors will also support the MMDA's campaign to dismantle all structures, obstructions, and other encroachments along waterways, as specified in the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. The mayors will also help relocate informal settlers, with the help of national government agencies, "in a humane manner cognizant of every person's right to a decent dwelling place and standard of living." MMDA statistics, based on the submitted list by the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, showed that the number of informal settlers in 2009 ballooned to 544,609 families The mayors and the MMDA will also implement medium- and long-term plans to mitigate and eradicate the life-threatening effects of environmental degradation. "We acknowledge our collective responsibility to advance and strengthen the mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development - economic development, social development and environmental development - at the local and regional levels," the mayors' declaration stated. –VVP, GMANews.TV