MORAL ON FLOOD MANAGEMENT

For overpopulated Metro-Manila, interacting factors have some influences in the moral fibers and practices of its leaders and people. Policies are violated, compromised, or modified driven by whims, coated as development, and by immediate needs of the powerful and the poor, respectively. Floodplains, watersheds and lakebeds are converted into residential or commercial use, riparian lands are titled, waterways are slowly encroached and unnoticeably diminished after many years, etc. These greatly affect the natural processes in the river upstream to downstream regime which lead to flood disaster.

Although there is an existing water code to guide in river management, some are unaware and ignore its existence. Bordering from negligence, complacency and ignorance, environmental clearances and permits are issued with inadequate scrutiny and foresight. Political and economic conditions drive the rural folks to venture in more peaceful and progressive urban areas, resulting to congestion. The poor find shelters in high susceptible areas.

However, human beings are endowed with sensitivity and values to act soberly even with little knowledge of the guidelines, policies, and law. On the contrary, needs and desires dominate the decision processes, which lower ones values due to competing demands or pressure. As disaster strikes, the reality of the unchecked and uncontrolled activities takes its toll. People die, properties are ruined, and economy decelerates affecting day to day well being and lifestyle. However, few are incriminated for failed accountability.

Realizations of the impact of disaster, the leaders want immediate solution; hence, they direct the subordinates to plan and act accordingly to pacify the grievances of the constituents for a while. However, great resources and time are needed to solve the accumulated burdens, which were once ignored. Initial emergency to long range solutions cannot be sustained.

Changing the moral values of the people to act responsibly entails reconfiguration of policies (revising, introducing and strict implementation of laws), education (formal and informal, technical enhancement), political (leading by example), and cultural systems. Although, this may require considerable time, radical change even in one aspect may bring breakthrough in flood management.

Lastly, there should be a change of heart. "And that includes ME!!!"

Importance of Trees In Flood Control

As the rain begins to fall from the sky, some particles are caught by the leaves for a time until the rain drops accumulate and trickles to the twigs, then branches, and further to the ground. The water enters the spaces of the soil and infiltrates beneath until it reaches the root system of the tree, where the root takes the necessary amount of water and hold the moist and wet soil.

Trees are canopies which delay the raindrops to reach the ground, and the roots and the soil they hold are small natural reservoirs for a definite time. Under normal condition,  trees can help delay fast runoff or prevent flash floods.

However, during  extreme and prolonged rainfall there are times when  the ground is saturated while the  roots could not hold the stability of  steep slopes leading to inevitable collapse. Land slides, debris flow, or mud flow  occurs carrying uprooted trees, boulders and sediments.

On the other hand, rain drops that accumulate on the leaves and  falls at bigger volume and energy may  dislodged bare soil particles on the ground. Hence, trees cannot prevent but induce soil erosion under bare ground condition.  However, leaves that fall on the ground and the undergrowth vegetation, -such as grass, herbs, bushes, etc. - could armor the ground from bigger drops from the trees.

"Habagat Flood," A Test of Plans

Again, Metro Manila experienced another extensive flood  from a spatially wider longer rainfall from Southwest monsoon. Intense rainfall started early evening of August 06, 2012 and fizzled down on August 08. As usual, same places were inundated  almost the same depth and extent as Ondoy. Only Ondoy has intense rainfall for six hours. Habagat, on the other hand,  has rainfall spread out for three days.

Ondoy caused the government to review the Master Plan for Metro Manila through funding from the World Bank . The Master Plan for Flood Management extended to Rizal, Laguna and some parts of Bulacan. The study is almost completed and ready for distribution.

Data from recent flood will help the concerned agencies to review the just completed  master plan  and check if the countermeasures are in place. The consultants are now checking the simulation of rainfall and runoff through modeling.

In experiment, we do a lot of trials to verify the findings and recommendations. It is the same thing with this. This is one good litmus test.

"All things work together for good, to them who love God"

Issues Confronting Metro Manila Flood Management

Is there a solution to Metro Manila's perennial flood? Despite the multi-billion investments poured to Metro-Manila, flood is not totally eradicated or confined. And flood can not be ultimately confined.

Flood results from the topographical, hydrological social, political, and the available infrastructure conditions in the basin. The magnitude and severity, measured in depth, duration and extent, varies accordingly.

Hydrology

PAGASA has four types of climate according to Corona classification . Based on this, Metro Manila belongs to I, two pronounced seasons, dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year. Maximum rain period is from June to September. Maximum annual rainfall is approximately 2000 mm in the flat region and 3000 in the mountainous Sierra Madre mountains.

River Systems

There are four river basins traversing the metropolis: Tullahan River Basin in the northern part, San Juan River Basin and the Pasig-Marikina River Basin in the central part, and the Laguna Lake Basin influencing the eastern part.

The Pasig-Marikina River emanates from the Siera Madre mountains. It traverses Montalban, San Mateo, Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Manila down to the mouth. Montalban and San Mateo has gentler river slope, while Marikina has mild to gentle slope where meandering is observed. Central Metro Manila lies in an alluvial flat. It is relatively low, with waterways influenced by tidal fluctuations.

Western and Northern Metro-Manila is flat and influenced by tidal fluctuations. Flat and tidal influenced terrain usually has low energy head or velocity necessitating pumps for the drainage system to flow smoothly to the rivers under natural condition.

Tullahan River catches the discharge from La Mesa Dam. It finally flows to Valenzuela, and Malabon. Navotas and Malabon are lying in the delta which are influenced by tidal fluctuations. Combined with river inflows, the area is more prone to floods.   

Laguna Lake Basin catches inflows from 24 rivers from Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Metro-Manila. It serves as a temporary retarding pond from the floodwaters from Marikina River via Mangahan Floodway. Slow drain of the lake is attributed to one outlet, the Napindan Channel.

Infrastructure Deterioration

Pumps to diffuse the flood waters to rivers are aging and surpassing its efficient years. On the other hand, drainage systems were designed decades back with short term foresight with two to ten year probability period. As a result, the drainage systems are outdated and insufficient to accommodate the present dense environment and erratic climatic highs.

Social Activities Aggravating Flood Problems

As population grows, built-up sprawls like a wave from the river mouth to the fringes of hills and mountains. Banks, bridges, foot of the mountains sprout with colony of informal settlers, land development, commercial establishments, public and private buildings, etc. Natural water detentions, streams, and natural outlets are diminishing and the land covers transform to paved or impervious materials. Run-off becomes fast and flash floods devastate residential, commercial, agricultural and other areas.

Indiscriminate dumping to the waterways plus the uncollected garbage which goes along with the runoff further disrupt the flow. Exacerbating the situations are the encroachment of buildings and structures erected illegally and made legally. Upstream development triggers soil erosion. Water flows with floating and suspended sediment and garbage load inevitably clog the waterways.

On the other hand, land subsidence is reported by UP NIGS in the Central, Northwest, and Southwest Metro-Manila, which is attributed to water extraction and soil compaction pressed down slowly by built up of residential and high rise establishment over some decades. Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Kalookan (known as KAMANAVA) swampy areas have been residential, fishing and docking areas.

Upstream dwellers do not spare the forests. Slowly the trees fall down as the settlers  need firewoods, timber for their huts and some woods were sold illegally or burned as commercial charcoal. Well, they also need food,  so for convenience and expediency to shop in far downtown for food, they cut-off trees on the hill and till the soil and plant bananas, corn, and other root crops. Slash and burn is indiscriminately practice in the upstream of Wawa Dam.

As heavy rain pours down, soil particles are dislodged and are carried with the run-off. Later they are transported in the rivers and waterways and settled on the river bed. Eventually, accumulated sediment  forms sand bars which  change the flow pattern of the river and reduce the flow capacity, hence, resulting to overflow of the river.

It was observed in Ondoy that sediments and garbage contributed to high run off in the Marikina River.

Structural Proposals to Mitigate Floods

Spillway

After Ondoy, some said the old master plan of Metro-Manila, which was formulated during Marcos era, must be reviewed. One of the major proposals was to build the Parañaque Spillway to hasten the subsidence of high water stage in Laguna Lake via canal with a maximum capacity of 350 m3/sec from the lake to Manila Bay. High water in Laguna lake affects the lakeshore communities in Eastern Metro Manila, Rizal and Laguna; likewise, the discharge from rivers, especially the Marikina-Pasig River and tributaries. The energy of the flow is diminished greatly as the lake and river waters converge. Overflow is experienced in the unprotected and low lying banks.

The spillway was a hot item then. It was heralded by a leading and prominent urban planner over media, both print and broadcast. However, as time ticks it becomes less and less feasible and outdated. Environmental considerations include the built-up areas which would be traversed by the channel and the possible salt water intrusion. In hydraulic point of view, the elevation of the Laguna Lake and the Manila Bay has a slight difference (say 3 meters under high lake stage and 0.5 meter during dry season and in consideration of the high tides). Therefore, it is not economically and technically sound. Even if a superpump is installed to gain energy head, the cost of operating and maintaining one, plus the efficient years of use, can not add up to its feasibility.  (A BIG NO)

Underground Tunnel

Another structures hoped to be installed is an underground tunnel, ala smart tunnel in Kuala Lumpur. The shield machine to build the tunnel is not available and very expensive to acquire from Japan or Europe. Again, consider the flat terrain and differences in gradient in flow dynamics. It requires pump again to speed up the flow. Also, the garbage thrown and deposited on the waterways will clog the tunnel. Operation and maintenance become steeply affordable.  (With Reservation)

Laguna Lake RingDike

Ring dike around Laguna Lake is another possibility. Ring dike will also serve as road which will hasten transportation around Rizal and Laguna and neighboring cities and provinces. Existing dike completed under JICA funds was the North Lakeshore Dike (now a part of the proposed C-6 project). Taguig, Pateros, portion of Pasig City and Taytay are partially protected by the structures. It is equipped with four pumping stations.

However, completing the dike around the lake will require land acquisition incurring monumental cost on the part of the government before the actual equally expensive dike is built. Likewise,  the lake ecosystem will be affected by the cutting and filling for embankment.(On Selected Sites)

Retarding Basin

Retarding Basin is one of the feasible options at present to reduce the impact of flood to Marikina-Pasig River. Retarding basin is a temporary storage from the discharge from the main river course to reduce the steepness of the peak discharge via diverting portion of flow to the the pond. Storage capacity depends on the volume the retarding basin can accommodate flood waters; hence, there is limitation for a prolonged rainfall lasting more than the time the basin can accommodate.

Proposed spots for retarding basins are in San Mateo and upstream of Tumana Bridge in Marikina City.

 In Japan, retarding ponds are used as multipurpose arena for recreation or sports, such as football fields during dry seasons. (Highly RECOMMENDED)

Dam Upstream of Wawa Dam

One alternative to reduce the peak discharge of Marikina River is to build a dam upstream of the existing Wawa Dam. Although, this will submerged and inundate a considerable portion of land, this  will surely reduce the impact of big discharge downstream. This can be dual purpose, flood control and water supply, which can help the Angat Dam, which is projected to be insufficient to supply the whole Metro Manila aside from possible destruction as it lies near the fault line.

One potential impact of Dam is displacement of informal settlers (mostly coming from provinces - i.e., Aklan). Environmental consideration includes biomass decay - methane is released into the atmosphere which contributes to global warming, preventing fish migration and spawning, and changeable pattern of dam release which eventually destroys ecosystem.

However, dam can compensate the negative impacts. It can generate funds through tourism, water supply and flood control or possibly small scale hydropower generation. (RECOMMENDED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT MITIGATION)

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a technology that captures precipitation for domestic or other purposes. Small scale storage that will last for a week or so is the drums or other small containers directly attached to downspout or conduits from the rooftops. Collectively, the household rainwater harvesting may retard the flood peak relatively low. (Good Also, but little effect)

Non-Structural Measures

NOAH PROJECT

Noah Project - Is it reliable? I tried to access their site but what came up was this " 502 – Bad Gateway -
The page you requested is currently unavailable. Please try again later."

Maybe it is good only during fair weather when I don't need their information.

The move to have  forecasts by NOAH or ASTI  is confusing. Until when will the NOAH be managed by UP Prof Mahar Lagmay? Why not just improve  system of PAGASA? Just for clarification.


EFCOS

Planned to be expanded. But funding agencies are on wait and see attitude. MMDA has bad reputation for letting it decay slowly until Ondoy came. Whaaa!!! It was ineffective! Who says it is out-modeled?

EFCOS is being kept meticulously now at meager budget by its former ward. I hope the relay station will resurrect so that it can transmit valuable information to agencies and people concern.

RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE IN RISKY FLOOD PLAIN

MGB has the map of flood plain area in Marikina. Yet it seems the map was not referred to that's why  high risk areas are  thickly populated. Now, another flood risk maps are coming up, a by-product of World Banks's Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas and from the Greater Metro Manila Risk Assessment from NDRRMC through CSCAND  . But who will use it? The developers? LGUs? or the residents who have no place to go because they don't have the means.

Note: Pictures from WB Master Plan for Flood Management in Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas.

Policies

The water code stipulates that the Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways can declare a flood control zones. On the other hand, the Local Government Code allows the Local Government Units to make land use plans and build infrastructures within their jurisdictions. LGUs issue permits even in flood plain areas encroaching the river systems. The DPWH on the other hand is too slow to look into the matter until the encroachment seems irreversible.

Also noted is the ignorance of  the Offices concern to give  the river banks to builders in the upstream areas. Just look around (esp. Montalban ) just downstream of the bridge going to Payatas. It is a head scratching activity.

Ondoy: After A Year

The tragedy unforgettably left emotional scars to Metro Manila residents. People were surprised, unsuspecting and unprepared for a 6 hour torrential rainfall which inundated the whole Metro Manila. Love ones, properties, livelihood, opportunities were gone. Trauma pervades those who were severely affected. Some were displaced permanently, especially those who are under makeshift roofs.

Pasig-Marikina River, Mangahan Floodway and Laguna Lake are silted. There is no solution yet to underprivileged bank dwellers, who were blamed as one of the reasons for extensive flood, as they block the free flow of flood waters. Marikina City Government continues to decorate barges as passageway across the river as part of their beautification program for their river park. There is no dredging in the upper Marikina River to increase the capacity. Structural interventions are not yet in place. EFCOS which failed to deliver valuable information during the calamity is now eyed by different agencies, offering bright schemes and innovations to revive or overhaul the whole system. (What a way to impress). Even the academe may be tapped to draw out their long stocked modeling software to forecast the behavior of the flood. La Niña is gaining strength expected to peak in the last quarter of the year while experienced meteorologists left and were sacked. Meanwhile ordinary people are still complacent after so many months of no flood days.

Still vulnerability is high for the residents of Metro-Manila. There are still big uncertainties. Preparations are sufficiently far behind for calamity with intensity as Ondoy. We hope it will not come so soon.

As vulnerable people, with little or no defense, there is only One Place where we can take refuge. When we acknowledge our weaknesses that is the time we spend time on our knees and seek protection and provision from Someone greater and powerful than us. The government is not powerful enough, even my neighbors, and city mayors, and barangay officials. There is only one greater and more powerful above all, the creator of universe and the controller of nature. God. Do you trust Him?

EFCOS Deteriorates

On 26 September 2009, Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana), which brought 341 mm rainfall for six hours or 455 mm for 24 hours surpassing the montlhy average for September (Science Garden station), flooded the cities of Marikina, Pasig, and the towns of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal. Marikna River overflowed and the Laguna Lake swelled with bigger aerial inundation as the water level reached 14 m. People were displaced approximately 2.3 M and claimed around 341 lives. Damages were estimated at PhP4.79 Million in infrastructure.

EFCOS was put into spotlight because it was not operational at the time of calamity where EFCOS was believed to alleviate the disaster's impact through real time hydrological and meteorolgical information. If relayed properly to affected municipalities on time, preparation and evacuation of the people in flood risk area could be done.

The MMDA priority seemed to rely, at the least, on non-structural approach; hence, little attention was given to maintenance of the facilities. It was killed softly with time without any intention of resuscitating reasoning that the facilities are out modeled and ready for phase out.

In EFCOS Phase I - completed in 1993 - PCs microprocessor was 486 with DOS and Windows 3 operating system; data entry was with Lotus 123 encoded manually and simulated through the Japanese model Storage Function Model. In the second phase 2001, some electronics spare parts were replaced with new smaller chips. The PCs were Pentium III with Windows 98 or 2000 and XP. The data were interfaced automatically with the system; hence, data entry was minimized. Simulation and forecasting was easier with MIKE 11 overlaid on GIS platform showing the inundated areas according to the water level. However, DHI MIKE 11 was not sustained since the interfacing with the system encountered glitz and nobody has technical capability to mend. People from Danish Hydraulic Institute could easily do the repair; however, since it is not the priority of the MMDA, the computer model was shelved.

Now, the Microprocessor is QuadCore which enable fast and reliable computing. Even without the expensive MIKE 11, HEC-GEORAS and RAS, free software from the US Army, the hydrological and hydraulic simulation can be done with same results.

Technological advances may out model the existing system but the latest technology becomes cheaper, more reliable and readily available. Upgrading the old chips, the panel boards, the computers and software would not entail as high as PhP 500 Million, I supposed. Locally manufactured and innovated telecommunication equipment can replace the imported Japanese hardware. If reasoning is EFCOS is now obsolete, then PLDT, Smart, Globe, and other telecommunication companies would not thrive in competition by depending passively with their hardware. Looking at the trends and the available viable technology and applied science would enhance the preparation, resilience, evacuation and in general our strategy to cope with the disaster.

The justification purported by the management for not keeping and sustaining the system was that it was outmodeled and would cost P500,000 per station and its present worth due to deterioration is now equivalent to a cell phone. However, the system would not decay at its present condition today if the management regarded its significance on the onset that the facilities were turned over to them. Since then, purchase of spare parts or other alternative replacement was set aside as EFCOS was an additional budgetary burden in their allocation and there were more important items to put money into until Ondoy occurred. It was a big blunder to give an armored vehicle to a school boy. Simply, the system was handed wrongfully to an agency which does not maximize EFCOS.

An offer putting my stability in Question!!!

Counting the financial requirements for the coming months, I can not imagine how we can manage with our expenses; debt to pay, tuition fees and school services; food and other necessities, etc. It is tempting to grab the offer of higher wages away from the family, which is a very sad predicament.

Working abroad with triple wage compared to the amount I am receiving now will be a relief to financial burden. It is indeed a difficult thing because the time for the family is curtailed. The idea of raising the kids with them troubles me a lot. There is a price to pay.

I am reminded of Isaiah 31:1, " Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD."

Doing Good Without String Attached!!!

Looking back, past mentors' influenced in ones life are treasured possessions. Guiding with love and encouragement enables the person to stand on his feet even though there are times of waggling.

Their unwavering support as they look at me sailing independently as I traveled the life's journey reminds me of the need for other people regardless of their strengths and weaknesses.

Renewed Commitment!!!

It's funny thing how for so many years, I've kept my commitment but drifts through as time passes by. Well, listening to old messages reminds me of the priorities that should be on top, not immersing myself in trivial things that may side track who I really am, my make-up and my personal identity.

Although now, I seldom meet my mentors, the wonder of web enables me to discover the messages heard long time ago, say 25 years ago. The messages remain true even through the ages.

His Promise

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."