Community flood control measures doing what governments can’t
Rain brought by the Southwest Monsoon has affected residents in flood-prone areas. Again, they have to evacuate, choose between the things they can and cannot bring, and eventually return to a home submerged in murky water.
It’s been a year since the whole flood control issue came to light, and yet we’re still dealing with this—and we’re not even talking about a super typhoon.
Fortunately, there is some progress. Marikina City’s dredging operations at the Marikina River have reduced overall water levels in the usually flooded area. However, according to Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo, two pumping stations were reported to have not been working over the weekend, resulting in flooding in Barangay Tumana and Malanday. It isn’t perfect. Still, it’s an improvement over the norm.
But what about the rest? Amid the ongoing rains affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas, some have taken to putting up their own flood control measures—some using PVC panels and makeshift materials, and others, industrial-grade blockades.
Because (unfortunately) sometimes, you just have to do things yourself.
Pooling together against floodwater
A group of residents in Noveleta, Cavite opted to take flood control measures into their own hands. Costing around P5,000 to P6,000—and split within a small community—they used tubular steel, sheet metal, and foam to block flood waters from entering their alleyway.
How effective was this DIY measure? In a video posted by King Nazareth Dayao Co’Arle, a resident in Noveleta, the makeshift flood barrier was seen to be holding strong against flood waters as tall as a person.
Kanya-kanya
Meanwhile, a family from Brgy. Pulang Lupa Dos, Las Piñas City set up their own barrier after experiencing heavy floods last year.
According to homeowner Paula Bianca Castro, they reportedly spent P126,000 on six flood barrier panels to cover just a small garage. As for water pooling behind the gate from the rain, they also installed a mini pump that flushed excess water back to the street.
Budget home measures
Not everyone can afford a P100,000 floodgate, so TikToker Momshie Rosie took it upon herself to find a cheaper alternative.
Her solution? A few PVC panels and sealant purchased at a nearby Wilcon. While she hasn’t tested its efficacy since it hasn’t flooded in her area, a follower of hers tried the DIY solution and shared that it did prevent water from entering their home.
Flood control for a few
These few examples are again proof of the Filipino’s indomitable spirit—not the usual resilience of getting back to one’s feet but the resourcefulness necessary to take matters into one’s own hands and avoid tragedy altogether.
Still, as wonderful as this is, it is only a stopgap that isn’t addressing the bigger concern. Yes, DIY flood control measures may work and prevent water from entering your home. But what about the street? What about the rest of the community who can’t afford to do the same? And what about mobility during typhoons?
The best form of flood control is to have none at all because if the government did its job, this wouldn’t be a problem to begin with. What’s more, these stopgaps, while effective within their own bubbles, won’t do anything meaningful in the long run but pass the government’s responsibility to everyone else.
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