Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Demolition work began on Tuesday, July 1, in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City as personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started clearing homes that were built directly against the collapsed river wall.The incident last weekend caused widespread flooding that displaced dozens of families.Before completely dismantling the damaged structure, the MMDA prioritized tearing down these houses that posed immediate risks. The plan is to replace the collapsed wall with a stronger barrier to safeguard residents from the nearby river and shipyard.“Ang aming suggestion dito, maglagay ng sheet pile. Itong sandbag po, temporary lang po kasi ito. Anytime ‘pag tumaas ang tubig o magkaroon ng high tide, may posibilidad na maagos din ‘yan,” said Francis Martinez, director of MMDA Health, Public Safety, and Environmental Protection Office.Among the affected is the family of Maria Theresa Abasola, whose house stands on the list for demolition.The Navotas City government clarified that the structure is no longer safe for occupancy. While Theresa agreed with the decision, she admitted her family now faces uncertainty of where to reside.Her family previously offered a relocation in Naic, Cavite by the Navotas local government. However, she stressed that the distance from basic services and the lack of nearby employment made living there impractical.“Gusto ko po sana ang mangyari, iyong mas malapit sa trabaho, malapit sa ospital. Kasi ako tulad ko, diabetic na ako. Saka puro bata po ang kasama ko e&#x27;. Saka private po ang mga hospital doon. Napakalayo talaga. Iyong pamasahe pa lang sa looban is 150 na,” Abasola said.Dennis Manalo, who has lived in the same neighborhood for four decades, echoed his sentiments. As his home also faces demolition, he appealed for the city government to consider relocation sites within Navotas.“Sa ngayon, di alam kung paano. Kung paano at saan ba pwede muna iyong mga bata. Dati kasi sa Naic, Cavite iyong relocation. So, malayo daw, kaya binago. Ginagawan na ng paraan na mapunta in-city [iyong relocation],” he said.Without a local solution, many families may be left to fend for themselves and search for temporary shelters elsewhere.Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Vonne Villanueva earlier said only residents whose houses are deemed safe by city engineers would be allowed to return.“I-evaluate po natin sa City Engineering Office iyong safe area at saka unsafe area. Iyong safe area po na pwede po natin pabalikin iyong ating mga kabarangay na nasa evacuation site,” Villanueva stated during an inspection on June 30.Out of the 79 families initially staying at the evacuation site on Monday, June 30, only five remain on Tuesday at the barangay hall, those whose houses are currently under demolition.Meanwhile, the MMDA, in coordination with the Navotas LGU and a private contractor, will continue construction of a new protective wall in the coming days, maximizing the low tide window until July 8 to complete critical groundwork.

Demolition work began on Tuesday, July 1, in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City as personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started clearing homes that were built directly against the collapsed river wall.

Demolition work began on Tuesday, July 1, in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City as personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started clearing homes that were built directly against the collapsed river wall.

Demolition begins in Navotas after river wall collapse displaces families

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Demolition begins in Navotas after river wall collapse displaces families

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 01, 2025 08:19 PM PHT

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Navotas

John Rey Tiangco

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