By Rizal Raoul Reyes
ONLINE property site MyProperty.ph recently released a list of places in Metro Manila with low to moderate risks of flooding. Nababaha.com and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s Geohazard Map of the Philippines provided the information.
Caloocan
The majority of Caloocan’s towns, both in the northern and southern parts, can be considered low- or moderate-risk areas in terms of flooding. Two of these are Monumento, site of the monument dedicated to Philippine revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio, and Bagong Silang, which is considered as the country’s largest barangay.
Las Piñas
A number of barangays in Las Piñas pose only a moderate risk of flooding. Poblacion, for one, is the location of Saint Joseph Parish, where the famous Bamboo Organ can be found. Another well-known town is BF International, a gated community that’s fast-becoming a foodie paradise.
Makati
Some of the most prominent areas in Makati—namely, Forbes Park, Bel-Air and Dasmariñas Village—belong to the low-risk areas. Also considered at low to moderate risk are the barangays of Cembo, Bangkal and Magallanes, which are close to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
Malabon
Malabon’s terrain makes it constantly prone to flooding during heavy rains, high tides and dam overflows. However, the areas of Acacia, Potrero, Tugatog, Santolan and Longos can be considered as moderate-risk areas, being slightly farther from the Navotas and Tullahan rivers.
Mandaluyong
Highway Hills, which is one of the busiest locations of the city, is one of Mandaluyong’s low-flood-risk areas. Others are Wack-Wack Greenhills, SM Megamall and Shangri-La Plaza.
Manila
While the entire city of Manila remains constantly affected by flooding because of the numerous bodies of water running through it, the report pointed out there are a few relatively safe areas in the city, such as Santa Mesa, as well as the old, walled city of Intramuros.
Marikina
The Shoe Capital of the Philippines is constantly plagued by flooding issues due mainly to the Marikina River, but the areas of Fortune, Parang and Barangka only pose a moderate risk.
Muntinlupa
Generally, Muntinlupa’s elite villages are relatively safe from flooding, including Ayala Alabang and Alabang Hills. The business districts of Filinvest Corporate City and Madrigal Business Park, both of which are master-planned communities, are also considered low-flood-risk zones, as well.
Navotas
Navotas is prone to flooding because of the bodies of water running through or surrounding it, such as the Manila Bay and Navotas River. Nevertheless, some towns made it to the list of low- to moderate-flood risks, namely, Sipac-Almacen, Tangos, San Jose, Daanghari, Navotas West, Navotas East and North Bay Boulevard North.
Parañaque
Water surging from Manila Bay could cause flooding in surrounding areas, but larger parts of the city are not usually extensively affected. One is BF Homes, well-known for its food hub along Aguirre Street. Other barangays include Don Bosco, Sun Valley, Moonwalk, San Antonio, Merville, Santo Niño and Vitalez.
Pasay
With 42 out of Pasay’s 201 barangays considered flood-prone areas, there are several well-known locations in the city where the effects of flooding might be minimal. These include Megaworld’s Newport City and Bay City, two master-planned estates famous for malls, condos and casino resorts.
Pasig
THE Pasig River, Marikina River and the Manggahan Floodway are the main causes of flooding in most of the city’s barangays. Oranbo and Kapitoly are both considered low- to medium-risk areas. San Antonio, another low-risk town, contains several prominent businesses close to the Ortigas business district.
Pateros
Due to its almost sea-level elevation and its proximity to the Taguig River, all 10 Pateros barangays are constantly at risk of floods, with the exception of San Roque, Santo Rosario-Silangan, Magtanggol and Santa Ana.
Quezon City
With Quezon City’s size, one is assured of finding a barangay or two that’s at low risk for flooding. Some of these areas include the Scout area in Timog Avenue, New Manila, Loyola Heights, Batasan Hills and the business district of Eastwood City.
San Juan
Most of San Juan’s towns are considered low- to medium-risk flooding areas, including Little Baguio, one of the busiest areas of San Juan, as well as Greenhills, known for discount shopping.
Taguig
Bonifacio Global City is perhaps the most famous area in Taguig that experiences little to no flooding because of its underground drainage detention system. Other barangays to consider are Tanyag, Upper Bicutan, North Daanghari, South Daanghari and Western Bicutan.
Valenzuela
In the event of heavy rains, flooding will most likely occur due to the overflowing of the Polo and Tullahan rivers, but several towns are able to keep from becoming excessively flooded, such as Mapulang Lupa, Ugong, Punturin, Bagbaguin, Bignay, Gen. T. de Leon and Paso de Blas.