THE IMPACT OF FLOOD MONITORING IN MARIKINA RIVER
In the Island Philippines, Marikina River is located within the length of Marikina countryside and bounded within Quezon City, west of Pasig City and goes through Cainta and a few areas of San Mateo and Antipolo. During the early 19th Century Marikina River is one of the most popular rivers in Rizal and Manila it is the usual place for family gathering, picnic and other forms of recreation because of the clear waters and beautiful surroundings and its sound atmosphere and fresh air.
But during the 1970’s the river started to change, there was many informal settlers and illegal fisher- folks who polluted the water and people continuously dumped their garbage on the water sometimes secretion and defecation of illegal dwellers sets in. During those times there were also piles of garbage that clogs the water flow and the condition of Marikina River is at risk during the 1980’s that worsen it during heavy rain the river sometimes overflow that always causes flood in the residence. During 1993’s under the initiative of their mayor Bayani Fernando the Marikina has once again revived but the beauty of the river was somehow degraded and trees and animals would not survive, the larger part of its areas has not been protected during those times.
Some parts of Marikina River has also illegal settlers, more than 2000 household has been living near the riverbanks even during rainy seasons when the area is still flooded. During ordinary days the settlers would wash their clothes, children takes a bath, wash dishes and some makes it their toilet and other activities that makes this area vulnerable to pollution and health hazard. The community themselves are affected by their unsanitary behavior that may cause various disease and still they are experiencing flood during heavy rain.
During the flood more than 10,000 homes can be affected people get used to floods and evacuate during rains and return to their home after a while. The rehabilitation of the river has been continuously promoted by non government organization and local government units including the media. They have established flood control system in Marikina River to resolve the issue and control the flood that always visit their town every year. The program includes flood control projects in 12 barangays in Marikina City, and their projects includes; Rehabilitation of major outfalls and sewerage system. They have also eliminated the waste in drainage and canals.
The cleaning of waterways somehow reduces the amount of water during typhoon but still flood is still there. The municipality also has their own alarm and warning system according to degree of water level. The government has also taken their initiatives to move some of the settlers from relocation to somehow eliminate the residence but still a large percentage of dwellers are still living within the Marikina River. The city government has also prepared public awareness and emergency preparedness in times of typhoon. The city government in Marikina is also asking some private institution to extend their help in the community they have also distributed to the public a handbook for people about information on how to prepare themselves in times of typhoon.
The city government has a ready volunteer including private and public hospitals, fire brigade, safety volunteers, life jackets, and rubber boats and media consortium. There are also a prepared relocation for the barangays who are always affected in flood, these barangay’s includes; Nangka, Tumana, Malanday, and Tanguile because these are the areas that is almost affected. After many years of development and monitoring the Marikina River the residents and the City can now enjoy the renovation of the 11 kilometer jogging and biking lane beside the river. There is also a playground, large picnic ground, children and adults can enjoy the wide park, for sports enthusiast there are basketball court and baseball field within the area. There is also a big Amphitheater that can accommodate a large crowd for festivity and celebration.
The continuous monitoring within the community to clean the water, reduce illegal settlers. The campaign against abusive illegal garbage disposal to provide a more eco friendly community to protect the Marikina River has always been their priority to promote a healthy living conditions and a flood free area. The success of the rehabilitation and monitoring is the joint project of various groups who have supported such projects. The impact of such activities has somehow prepared the residence in Marikina City and neighboring communities but the scare of flood is always there in the mind of the victims because of their past experiences.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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