Philippines: MMDA to Start Massive Dredging Project

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MDMA) will start this Friday its massive clean-up campaign dubbed “MMDA Lingap sa Barangay” to stem the dire effects of flooding and the reported spate of dengue cases in the city.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that at least 600 personnel of the agency will scour densely populated and depressed barangays in Quezon City and Manila as part of their campaign. The clean-up campaign will kick off at Batasan Hills and Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Tolentino said that road clearing, sidewalk clearing and construction and equipment personnel—with cleaning, dredging implements and heavy equipment in tow—will form part of the contingent team that will be deployed in alternate shifts to four Quezon City and Manila barangays per day every week from Friday to Sunday.

The move is meant to help local officials and residents in cleaning the roadways, markets, drainage systems and other public places, as well as in getting rid of possible breeding places of mosquitoes.

Fogging operations will also be conducted Friday at several communities in Novaliches and Valenzuela City making use of the latest chemical available, which, according to experts, can kill even adult dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The chairman said the clean-up campaign is a component of the MMDA’s community outreach programand is in line with its broader mandate to implement programs on solid waste disposal, flood control and sewerage management, urban renewal and health and sanitation, all of which are geared towards the enhancement of ecological balance in various communities within Metro Manila.

By Ellson A. Quismorio (mb)

[mappress]

Source: mb, September 3, 2010;