The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lead another dredging and clean-up drive in eight Metro Manila waterways starting on Monday.

During the agency’s weekly radio program, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said dredging activities will concentrate on the Estero Tripa de Gallina in Buendia Avenue, South Superhighway, the PNR open canal opposite Faraday Street; and canals along Espana Boulevard in Sampaloc, Ramon  Magsaysay Boulevard corner Pureza Street, Sta. Mesa, Quirino Avenue in the vicinity of Plaza Dilao, Paco, Taft Avenue in Manila, San Francisco Street in Mandaluyong, and the San Juan River upstream of E. Rodriguez Bridge in Quezon City.

He said MMDA personnel will conduct the dredging operation over a 10-day period to prevent heavy flooding in the metropolis especially during typhoons.

Tolentino warned that another massive flooding could happen in the metropolis like the “Ondoy” floods last September, because the canals are clogged with garbage dumped by residents.

“I met Architect Jun Palafox and he told me that half of the drainage system in the metropolis is still clogged with hard debris brought by storm Ondoy,” Tolentino said.

Palafox, a well-known urban planner, reiterated his call for the government to construct a spillway in Parañaque to drain excess water from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay in the aftermath of Ondoy. He also proposed de-silting Pasig and Marikina rivers to accommodate more water.

Admitting that the agency could not do it alone, Tolentino called on the public, especially barangay oficials, to conduct their own dredging operations in their jurisdiction and discourage the people from dumping their garbage on waterways and to strictly follow environmental laws.

Tolentino said pumping stations are only working at 70 percent capacity due to the unrestrained dumping of waste. The MMDA operates about 50 major and minor pumping stations located at strategic areas in Metro Manila.

The agency chairman stressed that the MMDA does not want a repeat of the extensive flooding when “Ondoy” slammed Metro Manila and nearby provinces.