House to fund Navotas floodgate repairs

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez has ordered the House appropriations panel to fund repairs for the breached Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate in Navotas City.

In a statement on Friday, Romualdez said that Typhoon «Carina» exposed «critical weaknesses» in infrastructure, and the damaged Navotas floodgate worsened flooding in Metro Manila.

«We must immediately allocate the necessary funds to repair and reinforce the gate to withstand future typhoons and protect our communities,» Romualdez told Committee Chairman and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Romualdez's order came after he inspected the damaged gate, together with Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Co, and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier inspected the gate and instructed the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways to expedite its repair.

«The President has rightly pointed out the urgent need to fix the Navotas floodgate. We in the House will ensure the necessary funds are available without delay,» Romualdez said.

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Tiangco said that the floodgate was damaged after a barge-ramming incident, causing increased flooding in the area, especially during high tide.

He added that they, together with the MMDA, are mulling possible cases against the barge operator, who forced gate entry despite warnings.

Legal action

Representative Tiangco on Friday insisted that he would still demand for legal action against the owners of the vessels and tugboats to be held accountable for the damage of the navigational gate.

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He told The Manila Times that last Thursday's visit of President Marcos despite heavy rains from typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) had given residents renewed hope to hundreds of flood victims in evacuation centers.

«We also appreciate him (President Marcos) for personally inspecting the navigational gate and directing the public works department to implement emergency measures to address the damage,» said Tiangco.

During his visit, the President instructed the Department of Social Welfare and