The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to begin dredging operations in clogged waterways in Parañaque City as part of intensified flood control efforts ahead of the rainy season.
The operation will start at Villanueva Creek, one of the waterways blamed for severe flooding along Dr. Santos Avenue, formerly Sucat Road, during heavy rains. The creek, which runs inside Manila Memorial Park, has been heavily clogged by garbage and silt.
Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan said the DPWH immediately deployed an amphibious excavator to the area less than a week after officials inspected flood-prone communities in the city.
“On behalf of the people of Parañaque, ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DPWH, sa pangunguna ng aking kaibigang si Secretary Vince Dizon, sa agarang pag-aksyon sa napakatagal at napabayaang problema nang pagbaha dito sa aming lungsod,” Yamsuan said.
He said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon informed him Friday that the amphibious excavator was being sent from Tarlac so dredging works could begin immediately.
“I’m not surprised because I’ve known Sec. Vince to respond and act fast. He has proven time and again that Government can be quick and effective in doing what needs to be done,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan, DPWH Metro Manila 2nd District Engineering Office officer-in-charge Hanzel Samson, and Assistant District Engineer Kevin Ycoy were present during the pre-positioning of the equipment. DPWH said dredging operations were expected to start Saturday afternoon.
The works form part of the Marcos administration’s “Oplan Kontra Baha” program, which seeks to address flooding in vulnerable areas through drainage clearing, waterway rehabilitation, and other flood mitigation projects.
Aside from Villanueva Creek, the DPWH also plans to dredge Don Galo Creek in Barangay Moonwalk, another waterway severely clogged by garbage and silt.
Dizon earlier said the agency would also begin a flood interceptor project along Dr. Santos Avenue, with an initial P50 million to be sourced from DPWH savings this year. The project will also be included for funding in the agency’s proposed 2027 budget.
The flood mitigation measures are expected to help rainwater flow properly into waterways instead of backflowing to Dr. Santos Avenue and nearby residential areas.
Yamsuan said floods along Dr. Santos Avenue can reach four to five feet during heavy rains, making the major road impassable and causing heavy traffic spillover along the South Luzon Expressway and Skyway.
He welcomed the DPWH’s quick response but stressed that solving the city’s flooding problem will require both government intervention and public discipline.
“The solutions to the problem should work both ways. Hindi lang dapat gobyerno ang kikilos kundi dapat mga kababayan din natin. Kayo na mismo magdisiplina sa sarili ’nyo. Nakita ’nyo naman, ’yung basurang tinapon ’nyo babalik din sa inyo. ’Yung waste na tinatapon nila ang nagiging cause din ng problema,” he said.
“Ang kailangan dito maraming approach. Disiplina sa tao, proyektong tama at paalala sa mga kababayan natin nang mga dapat na tamang gawin,” he added.
Dizon also said he would push for funding in the 2027 national budget to upgrade old dikes in Parañaque and build detention basins beneath basketball courts and open spaces, similar to flood control projects implemented in Manila and Quezon City.