Shin-deep floods inundate some roads in Barangay Malanday, San Mateo, Rizal on September 2, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

SAN MATEO, Rizal – The local candidates in San Mateo, Rizal on Saturday vowed to focus on reforestation and dike projects to mitigate record flooding in the city, but said the public's cooperation and discipline would be needed. 

During the election forum organized by Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting's (PPCRV) - San Mateo, Mayor Omie Rivera said they have constructed a dike that spanned along the terminal in the Justice Hall.

Rivera said this has been effective in mitigating floods as this has a height of 22 meters. 

"Ang portion ng bayan, nagre-reclaim tayo sa ilog upang magamit natin nang mas mahusay ang open space diyan. Patuloy na nilalalagyan ng mga dike ang ating mga sapa, mga creeks upang maiwasan ang erosion," 

"Ating pang inaaaral ang iba pang lugar ang ating drainage system dahil sa mga bagong developments tulad ng C6 na nakakapagpabaha… kaya initially may ginawa tayong system drainage na ang tubig dito sa C6 ay dadaan dito sa Sta. Maria para dumiretso na sa mga creeks at di na umikot sa Sapang Labo," he said. 

FROM 2023: Nearly 200 families flee their homes in San Mateo, Rizal due to flooding

The mayor said efforts for reforestation would continue under his watch as coconut nurseries have already begun. 

Some 5,000 coconut trees will be provided by the Philippine Coconut Authority for this, he said. 

Independent candidate for mayor Jomer Cruz, for his part, said it was important to create a fresh department under the municipality to address the issue. 

Cruz said the department could focus on the creeks and look into flood problems and the trash that end up in creeks. 

"Isang departamento kung saan tutungtong sa bawat area sa San Mateo at magbigay ng solusyon sa mga problema sa creeks for example," he said. 

"Yung ating ilog ay kailangan linisin. Mangyayari yan kung may isang department o grupo na tututok sa programang ito," he said. 

The mayoral candidate also criticized residents who continue to throw garbage in waterways, particularly those in the depressed communities.

Waste management efforts in the town should also be intensified, he said. 

"Ang mga waterways tinubuan ng bahay. Ang mga basura nila, doon lang nila tinatapon sa waterway na yun kung saan nagdudulot siya ng malaking problema sa pagbasura at pagbaha," he said.

"Ang long-term solution, ialis ang mga informal settlers natin doon sa creeks na akign sinasabi para maiwasan natin ang mga basura na laging nagkakalat kapag nagkakaroon ng malakas na bagyo," he said.  

FROM 2024: Floods now subsiding, but relief operations continue post-Enteng — DSWD

CLEANING OF DRAINAGE

Incumbent vice-mayor and re-electionist Jimmy Roxas said the drainage system should be cleaned. 

"Kahit kapirasong kalat, pambalot ng candy ay ating ilagay sa bulsa sapagkat nakikita natin na pagkatapos ng baha, makikita natin ang dumi sa kalsada," he said. 

Cris Cruz, a vice-mayoral candidate, agreed with his rival Roxas. 

Cruz said it was important that drainage systems were cleaned so flood water could pass through, citing the case in Marikina. 

"Nagkaroon ng maraming drainage, natuwa yung mga mamamayan natin dahil lumaki ang kanilang lupa… Siyempre napakahalaga ng tree planting," he said. 

Reforestation, he said, was also key. The trees that were supposedly meant to sip all the rainwater from the mountains have already been cut for further land development, he said.

Flood-control projects would not also work if there are no more trees that would help.  

"Ito ang dahilan para hindi bumaba ang tubig sa ating bayan. Sa ating bayan, mahirap, kumbaga ang naging transient ng mga karatig lungsod kung saan karamihan sa ating lugar ay dine-develop," he said.  

"Noong nakaraang administration nagkaroon kami ng moratorium dahil … kapag walang pupuntahan ang tubig, siguradong bababa agad yan," he said. 

In 2023, nearly 200 families are now staying at evacuation centers in the municipality of San Mateo in Rizal due to floods brought on by southwest monsoon rains.

In September 2024, residents in San Mateo also had to opt for boats and floaters in order to navigate deep floods in the area, amid rains brought by Tropical Storm Enteng.