From Waterworks to Wonder ways: Marikeños Local Solution to Climate Change

MARIKINA, Philippines — Headlines of flood watch by the Marikina River are no stranger during the peak of the wet season but throughout the years, what has changed from opening floodgates to mitigating flood risks for every Marikina's household?

Being the catch basin of neighboring areas of Rizal and Quezon City, the city has been long-nicknamed as "flood-prone" with histories of onslaughts and states of calamity like during Ondoy in 2009.

As we traverse into waves of the existing programs, mandated policies, and involved people—let's find out what are the deep and beyond the Marikina flood mitigation initiatives are over time.

Developing the Mitigation Agenda

Following questions on disaster preparedness developments from histories of typhoons, the Head of the Planning Department of the Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction and Management who supervises the team illuminated significant strides in how Marikina has developed its flood response capabilities.

This commitment to proactive measures is evidenced by the establishment of pumping stations, a crucial infrastructure for managing and controlling water levels during extreme weather events.

A pivotal aspect emphasized by the Marikina DRRM is their proactive approach to disaster management, where plans are not merely conceptualized but actively put into action. 

This includes the implementation of robust warning systems and clear communication channels with the community, underscoring the importance of keeping residents well-informed about potential risks and necessary response measures. 

Notably, there has been a marked reduction in the duration of flooding compared to past typhoons, showcasing the effectiveness of implemented measures. 

The focus on improving dredging operations emerged as a key strategy, ensuring the clear and efficient flow of water by addressing potential blockages in waterways. 

The application of engineering dredging techniques adds a technical dimension, addressing the root causes of flooding and optimizing drainage systems for long-term effectiveness.

Moreover, the involvement of the City Environment Management Office in maintaining cleanliness and introducing traps in creeks showcases an integrated strategy, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental health and disaster resilience. 

Crafting Marikeño-Based Solutions

With regard to waste segregation, Tagalinis on Wheels is a project by the City Environmental Management Office (CEMO), in which street sweepers ride a bicycle with a trash container, segregating the biodegradable and non-biodegradable—collecting waste and managing the cleanliness in Marikina City.

Kuya Aries, one of the volunteers of CEMO's Tagalinis on Wheels program, said that there are street sweepers per barangay: “Meron namang mga nagwawalis. Kami (naka-bike) 'yung nagpupulot-pulot lang."

They were assigned to different routes, and on that day, he was assigned to the area around the Marikina River.

The collected waste will be properly disposed of or recycled, depending on the type of waste. They will transfer it to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where it is being separated into recyclable and non-recyclable materials.

Flexible plastics were also shredded to make armchairs for schools, while the rest were used for fertilizer.

Shaping the Dredging Program

Along the Marikina River, several dredging equipment are spotted as the dredging program by the riverbanks is set in place. 

Back in 2021, the Marikina River Restoration Project (MRRP) began as a joint initiative funded from the national offices like DPWH and DENR. 

With its effectiveness noted in the same year of implementation, the City has invested in partnering with contractors like Bell Construction who works to dredge the Marikina River as one of the primary facets of the flood mitigation projects that the city implemented. 

Typically, the contractors explained that dredging occurs from weeks to months at a time wherein mornings are spent in digging and a few days are dedicated for letting the sediments dry before being dumped in designated areas. 

Specifically, according to one of the contractors, Mr. Bernard, after a week of drying, these sediments were typically confined to one of the housing projects of the city in Doña Petra. 

"Bumabaha dito sa Marikina, kasi mababa dito eh, catch basin kasi ito mula sa Rizal—dito bumabagsak yung mga debris nila, kaya dito rin bumabaha," said one of the contractors from Bell Construction.

Further explained by the workers, by making the riverbed deeper—when the rainy season approaches, the flood level is to be expected to be not as high as it was during the previous years.

By the midway of 2024, it is expected that the stretch of the Marikina River below the bridge will be dredged before the rainy season starts anew.

Localizing the Marikeños Narrative

As one of the three barangays that are determined to be the first to experience flooding, according to Barangay Nangka SK Official, committee member of environmental protection, climate action, and DRRM, Niño Palaming, one thing that is lacking in their community is urban planting.

As he explained, he stated that it is not being utilized because young people are less enthusiastic about planting, which, ideally, would contribute to lowering flood peaks.

"Ang first project talaga na naiisip ko ay urban planting, dahil 'yon talaga kasi 'yung lack sa barangay namin. Pero, hindi siya naisasakatuparan, kasi lesser yung enthusiasm ng mga kabataan with regards to planting...na kapag usapin ng environment 'yung pinag-uusapan, pini-perceive nila na boring." 

In implementing structural mitigations, one that has already been installed in the barangay is the construction of a road dike or riverside development project by the DPWH. According to Mayor Marcy Teodoro, particular areas have been constructed or elevated to help alleviate floods in the city.

Looking back, the extent of the flood damage was really severe.

Even if it hasn't rained much yet or there has only been one alarm or notice, the barangay's neighbouring areas are already seeing the effects of the river flooding.

Nevertheless, with the aid of mega dikes and community-wide sewage cleansing, somehow the impacts of storms or typhoons are being minimized.

Further, in regard to ordinances and policies from the city government that are implemented in the barangay, Palaming brought up Congresswoman Stella Quimbo's proposed house bill, which strengthened the penalty for violating environmental rules and addressed flood control.

As he elaborated, he expressed his desire to uphold the regulations in order to educate the residents—particularly the younger generation—that environmental activities, management, and engagement are significant matters that every citizen needs to be aware of.

"Gusto ko rin talagang ipagpatibay pa 'yung isinusulong ni Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, regarding sa pagpapataas ng penalties kasi I think nasa tao na siya. And iyon, more on education para maging educated pa 'yung mga tao sa barangay, regarding waste segregation and flood management." 

In general, considering all the mitigation efforts made by the community and local government, Palaming asserts that Marikina will eventually reach the point where its residents won't be afraid whenever there is a significant downpour—because, thus far, the city government's environmental initiatives and campaigns have already been proven very

beneficial.

From Waterworks to Wonder ways

As Marikina continues to find ways to craft resolutions to mitigate the flood-prone tendency and reputation of the city, the significance of flood risk reduction becomes the main highlight of the issue.

As typhoon headlines are never lost every year, cities like Marikina are subject to receiving tons of garbage from elevated areas. However, like Marikina implements, noting the dilemma should not be the concluding narrative.

Existing global issues like climate change translate into local problems like Marikina City faces, and beyond the city-based initiatives that create annual impact and community involvement, the need for a stronger national plan might be in the future.

Through efforts and more efficient dialogues, time shall come that every Marikeño will no longer relive the traumas of the past through alarms that pierce amid the thunderstorms.

Article | Jadeite Angela Barrameda, Ronnie Crispo Jr., Kristel Mara Isidro, Kathleen Veronica Olsim & Sharona Nicole Semilla

Layout | Jadeite Angela Barrameda