The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in cooperation with the local government of Valenzuela City, carried out cleanup operations at the Meycauayan River.
The activity took place on Thursday, along Caingin Road, the boundary between Valenzuela City and Meycauayan, Bulacan.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana and Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian oversaw the clean-up efforts at the Meycauayan River, which aims to mitigate flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
“The cleanup is part of the Bayanihan sa Estero program of the MMDA, which was launched by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week,” Lipana said.
Lipana added that the agency deployed one backhoe, one crane, and four dump trucks for the cleanup and dredging operations.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes initiated coordination with NLEX Corporation to discuss flood mitigation measures on the expressway.
Gatchalian, for his part, said, “As early as June, we started our cleanup drive, and around 8,100 cubic meters of waste have been collected.”
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez said the company plans to build a detention pond with a capacity equivalent to eight Olympic-size swimming pools to help prevent severe flooding during heavy downpours.
“We need to have more engineering solutions and larger infrastructure to prepare for flooding incidents,” Perez emphasized.
Motorists recently complained about a seven-hour gridlock on NLEX caused by flooding brought about by Tropical Cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon or Habagat, particularly in areas near the Valenzuela Interchange and the Paso de Blas entry and exit points.
The activity was joined by volunteers from ride-hailing apps Grab, Move It, InDrive, and TUPAD beneficiaries, among others.
