FLOOD GATE INSPECTION — Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez during the ocular inspection of the damaged Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate and Pumping Station in Navotas City on Thursday afternoon. Romualdez was joined by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Committee on Appropriation Chairman and Ako Bicol Party List Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco. En route to the damaged floodgate, the group also saw for themselves the extent of the flooding in areas of Malabon and Navotas. According to Rep. Tiangco, the navigational gate would have prevented severe flooding in Navotas and neighboring areas. Earlier in the day, Speaker Romualdez called for a review of the flood control master plan to ensure proper implementation of projects and efficient use of funds.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has directed the House Committee on Appropriations to immediately fund repairs for the Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate in Navotas City, which was damaged last June and worsened flooding in Metro Manila during Typhoon Carina.
“The recent typhoon exposed critical weaknesses in our infrastructure, and the damaged Navotas floodgate significantly worsened flooding in Metro Manila. Immediate action is essential,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“We must immediately allocate the necessary funds to repair and reinforce the gate to withstand future typhoons and protect our communities,” the Speaker instructed Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, chair of the House Appropriations Panel.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives issued this directive after inspecting the Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate with Co, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, and others.
Upon the request of Rep. Tiangco, Speaker Romualdez visited Navotas on Thursday after conducting relief operations in the cities of Quezon and San Juan.
Earlier in the day, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. inspected the gate and instructed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite repairs.
“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,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Rep. Tiangco insisted that the Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate could have prevented severe flooding in Navotas and surrounding areas at the height of Typhoon Carina.
Navotas operates 81 pumping stations, but the gate was damaged by a barge last June, leading to increased flooding. This damage allows seawater to enter communities during high tide, reducing the effectiveness of the pumping stations.
“In 2009, despite having only 24 Bombastik stations, we controlled flooding during Typhoon Ondoy,” Rep. Tiangco noted.
He continued, “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.”
Rep. Tiangco disclosed that he is collaborating with the MMDA to pursue legal action against the company responsible for the barge incident.
The MMDA, which operates the floodgates, estimates that full repairs might take until August.
“We’re exploring legal options to hold those accountable for the floodgate damage,” Rep. Tiangco said.
“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,” he added.
Rep. Tiangco said that while the pumping stations are operational, they cannot mitigate flooding without the floodgates blocking seawater.
“Our Bombastik Pumping Stations are working continuously to reduce flooding, but they can’t fully address the issue if the floodgates are compromised,” he explained.
“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,” Rep. Tiangco pointed out.
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