Marikina:<Text>

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is accelerating efforts to repair and clean drainages, canals, and waterways in Marikina City. The initiative aims to mitigate flooding during the rainy season.

According to Philippines News Agency, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon stated in a news release that the repair and cleaning activities are being expedited to ensure smoother and quicker water flow in the Marikina River. This will be achieved through the dredging, cleaning, and widening of esteros, canals, and other waterways in the city.

Dizon emphasized the importance of completing these projects swiftly, noting, "That's why we need to finish the projects [repairing waterways] quickly. That's why everything we're doing now, we're dredging, we're fixing the gaps in the dikes, we're fixing the drainages so that the water can flow faster into the rivers," during his inspection of the Marikina River flood control project.

< P>He further explained the significance of completing projects such as the Sumulong Drainage, Balanti Creek, and Manila Water Site. Resolving the right-of-way issues in the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) Phase V, which connects to the Marikina River, will expedite water flow into the river. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to the rapid reduction of floodwaters in Marikina.

Dizon also mentioned plans to complete various projects that have been pending for four to five years by 2026 and 2027.

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