The Manila Times

STILL FLOODED

Seriously, folks, I’ve been tracking this flood situation in Metro Manila like a mall mole on a Black Friday sale. The recent monsoon rains, turbocharged by Typhoon Emong and its predecessors like Crising, have turned the city into a real-life water park—minus the fun. Residents are wading, swimming, and even boating through streets that have morphed into rivers. Schools and offices are closed, work is suspended, and at least 30 people have lost their lives. Thousands more are displaced. This isn’t just a one-time disaster; it’s a recurring nightmare that’s getting worse.

The Usual Suspects: Nature and Infrastructure

First off, let’s talk about the *habagat*, or southwest monsoon. This weather pattern brings heavy, prolonged rainfall, and when a typhoon like Emong rolls through, it’s like adding fuel to the fire. The land gets saturated, and the drainage systems? Well, they’re basically saying, “Nope, not today.” The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been talking about long-term fixes—box culvert canals, pumping stations—but these projects move slower than a Seattle traffic jam in the rain. And even when they’re built, they might not be enough to handle the sheer volume of water we’re dealing with.

But here’s the thing: blaming it all on nature is like blaming a shopaholic’s credit card debt on the mall. Sure, the rain is intense, but the real problem is the city’s infrastructure. Clogged canals, outdated drainage systems, and a lack of maintenance mean that water has nowhere to go but into the streets. It’s like trying to squeeze a water balloon through a straw—it’s not going to end well.

Urbanization: The Silent Flood Accomplice

Now, let’s talk about urbanization. Metro Manila has been growing faster than a hipster beard in a coffee shop, and not all of it is planned. Natural floodplains and green spaces are being turned into residential and commercial areas, which means less land to absorb rainwater and more surface runoff. Low-lying areas are especially vulnerable, and the situation is made worse by informal settlements in these high-risk zones.

But here’s the twist: reclaimed areas like Pasay are staying dry. Why? Because they’re built with flood risk management in mind. It’s like comparing a thrift-store raincoat to a high-end waterproof jacket—one’s going to keep you dry, and the other? Not so much. The disparity highlights the need for better urban planning. We need to prioritize flood risk management, enforce building codes, and maybe, just maybe, stop building on floodplains.

Disaster Preparedness: The Reactive Approach

The government has been issuing warnings and mobilizing relief efforts, but let’s be real—it’s often too little, too late. Early warning systems are in place, but they need to be more effective. Evacuation procedures need to be streamlined, and shelters need to be ready to go. Right now, it’s like trying to put out a fire with a water gun—you’re doing something, but it’s not enough.

What we need is a proactive approach. Invest in better forecasting, stricter land-use regulations, and sustainable urban development. The recurring floods demand a long-term commitment to resilience. Reactive measures are necessary in the immediate aftermath, but they won’t prevent future disasters. We need to break the cycle of flooding and protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.

The Bottom Line

So, what’s the solution? It’s not just about building more drainage systems or issuing more warnings. It’s about a fundamental shift in how we approach urban development and disaster preparedness. We need to prioritize proactive planning, sustainable infrastructure, and community engagement. The mall mole in me wants to say, “Shop smarter, not harder,” but in this case, it’s about building smarter, not just reacting to the next flood.

The situation in Metro Manila is a stark reminder that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. It’s time to get serious about flood mitigation and build a city that can weather the storm—literally. Because right now, we’re all just treading water.