Two lawmakers from flood-prone areas of Metro Manila have come to the defense of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, saying the weather bureau is not to blame “for the flashfloods that recently paralyzed much of the metropolis.”
Marikina Representative Marcelino Teodoro said the floods in some parts of Metro Manila were caused by clogged drains.
“The paralyzation of Metro Manila cannot be solely blamed on the advise of Pagasa,” he said in a press statement. It can be argued that it cannot at all be blamed on Pagasa, whose job is meteorology and not flood control.
Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo, meanwhile said the floods were caused by a “dysfunctional” flood control system.
“Government has to intensify its flood-control programs by dredging the heavily-silted waterways. It has to put in place disaster and risk reduction programs,” he said.
Heavy traffic caused by rain and floods left thousands of commuters and motorists stuck on the road for hours on Monday night.
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