DENR: Overpopulation main cause of Metro flooding
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has tagged overpopulation as the primary cause of flooding in Metro Manila. The DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said man-made structures built to meet the housing needs of the growing metropolis are blocking the natural flow of rivers and streams. In a interview with Maki Pulido of GMA Newsâ â24 Oras," DENR MGB director Leo Nazareno said that natural waterways can cope with the volume of heavy rainfall but the draining of floodwaters is impeded. âAng pinaka-kalaban natin ay population. Habang dumadami ang population, nag-e-encroach sa waterways. Inagawan natin yung tubig ng pupuntahan niya. Tapos âpag may namatay na tao, sisihin natin yung ulan," he said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Jasareno explained the Pasig river â clogged and in need of dredging â is unable to serve its function as the outlet of excess water from the Laguna Lake to Manila Bay. During heavy rains, the riverâs floodwaters rise and overflow into Pasig City, Marikina, Pateros, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque. âKasi ang Marikina River, pupunta ng Laguna Lake. And then yung Laguna Lake, pupunta ng Pasig River. So, kung barado ang Pasig River, tataas ang tubig sa Laguna Lake. âYung Marikina River, tataas din," Nasareno said. Nazareno suggests that aside from dredging another effective solution is the relocation of squatters who populate areas at and near Pasig river and other major waterways. âAY/ELR/VS, GMA News