Navotas asks barge owner: Pay for damaged floodgate

MANILA, Philippines — The company that owns the barge that destroyed the Malabon-Navotas navigational floodgate would be asked to pay for the damage, Navotas public information office chief Irish Cubillan said yesterday.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways will be issuing a bill to the company to pay for the damage,” Cubillan told The STAR.

She said the local governments of Malabon and Navotas are also considering filing charges against the shipping company.

The navigational floodgate was damaged after a barge, which came from Navotas, passed through the channel despite low tide.

As a result of the incident, parts of Malabon and Navotas have been experiencing flooding. Both local governments have implemented flood control measures while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority continues to repair the floodgate.

Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval distributed food packs, vitamins, medicines and hygiene kits to about 150 families who were affected by flooding in Barangays Dampalit, Hulong Duhat and Flores.