FOLLOWING the massive flooding brought by a damaged navigational gate of the Malabon-Navotas River, city officials pushed for the establishment of a similar structure to serve as back-up to avoid floods in the future.

In separate interviews, Navotas Rep. Tobias "Toby" Tiangco and Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval stressed the importance of a back-up flood gate as one of the permanent and long-term solutions to flooding.

They backed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to develop a National Flood Control Plan in the aftermath of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon and the massive flooding they brought in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

"Developing a national flood control plan that integrates water flow management and effective flood interventions is critical in ensuring the protection of Filipinos from massive floodd which disrupt their daily lives and cause damage to properties," the Navotas lawmaker said.

He said that the city invested in engineering-based solutions to effectively manage flooding such as pumping stations, dikes and floodgates.

However, the navigational gate was damaged by a vessel while it was being towed by tugboats, leading to massive floods that submerged several villages in the neighboring cities.

"Were it not for the damaged floodgate, all streets would have been passable because our 81 pumping stations were operational. This was our experience during Typhoon Ondoy," he said.

The officials said that it is imperative for national agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to work closely with local government units in the development of the national flood control plan.

"That is why we are proposing a second floodgate for the Tangos-Tanza navigational gate to provide a functional backup in case the main gate is damaged or under repair," Tiangco said.