The government is ramping up flood-control efforts in Metro Manila as record rainfall continues to affect several areas with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directing government agencies to prioritize the safety of residents and ensure the immediate delivery of assistance to communities affected by flooding.

In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon cited interventions in Navotas and the broader Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area as a model for other flood-prone communities.

Dizon said the government has restored six previously non-operational pumping stations in Navotas, closed gaps in existing dikes and repaired the area’s navigational gate.

“Yung naging baha ngayon, proof na epektibo yung naging resulta nung pag-ayos ng mga pumping station, nung pagsara dun ng mga gaps, at pagkapaluwag ng navigational gate,” Dizon said.

“Clearly, nag-work,” Dizon said, noting that the government is looking to replicate the Navotas model in other flood-prone areas, including Bulacan.

He said the government is also responding to flooding along the San Juan River, where water levels rose after the river overflowed following heavy rains.

Dizon said the government will deploy two mobile pumps — one from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and another from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The government will also continue dredging and clearing operations along the river.

He said water levels in the San Juan River had dropped by nearly half, while floodwaters along C-5 and Ortigas Avenue became passable by around 7:30 p.m. Monday after the MMDA conducted declogging and cleanup operations.

The DPWH Secretary said the government is also looking at building detention basins upstream to temporarily hold excess floodwater before it reaches the San Juan River.

Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Office of Civil Defense and its incident cluster member agencies are coordinating with local government units, while search and rescue units remain on standby. Presidential News Desk