Flooding is a common phenomenon within Bulihan as the barangay's location geographically serves as waterways from different parts of Malolos.
But why does this problem remain unfixable throughout the years?
Barangay Bulihan is one of the largest barangay in Malolos City, Bulacan. It is progressive community as big establishments and businesses are thriving in the area. It occupies a population of 15,865 people based on PhilAtlas. However, the barangay faces environmental challenges particularly flash floods that ruin the quality of life of the citizens and business owners.
One of the citizens I have encountered is Eugenio Esteves, a 67-years-old tricycle driver from Domsal Subdivision. He was sitting under a shade, waiting for passengers when he agreed to have a conversation with me.
He settled to live in Bulihan with his spouse when he got an opportunity to buy a house in Domsal Subdivision.
“Ang problema natin dito ay yung basura at baha. Sa dami siguro ng bahay, wala ng daluyan ng tubig. Tinabunan at binahayan. Wala ng lagusan yung drainage kaya nagkaganon,” he answered when asked about the problems he sees in the community.
He also added that flooding affects his income because driving in a flooded road is difficult and has a substantial risk of him getting sick and damaging his vehicle.
Another tricycle driver I met is Virgilio Caballero, a 53 years old man living in Bantayan 2nd, Bulihan.
“Tuwing may bagyo yung mga daananan na yan, mabilis tumaas ang tubig. Napakahirap tuwing may baha dahil kapag malalim hindi na kami lumulusong,” Caballero said. “Tiyaga-tiyaga lang. Nag-aantay talaga ng oras na pahupain para medyo kumita.”
The problem with flooding does not only affect ordinary citizens but the businesses established in the area.
Lorena Puripikasyon, a 54 years old woman running a sari-sari store in Bantayan 2nd, said that it is difficult for them to attract customers when the front of their store is flooded during the rainy season. “Hindi nakakarating ang ibang mga mamimili dito. Ilang taon na, perennial na ata yang baha na 'yan,” she said.
I asked the citizens about the reason behind the problem, there are three common answers that I got from them: the unfixed drainages, the emergence of huge subdivisions in the barangay, and the increasing number of garbage.
Unfixed Drainages
Barangay Bulihan Kagawad Edmuna A. Santos and Kagawad Jojo De Guzman grant me an interview to further understand the extent of this problem.
“Noong bata pa ako, talagang bumabaha na dito pero mabilis lang ang paghupa ng tubig," she said. Kagawad Santos is the head of the Committee on Environment and Sanitation, and a former government employee in Malolos City Hall. She has been living in Bulihan since birth, so she witnessed the changes in the barangay.
“Yung area na ito ay bahain talaga… Dito dadaanan (ang tubig) para makarating sa dagat. Pero since maliit ang daanan ng tubig, hindi kayang ibaba ang mga waterways na binabagsak ng ulan. Bukod pa yung nanggagaling sa taas na siyang bumababa dito papuntang dagat,” she explained why the barangay is a flood prone area.
The small waterways is also another reason why flooding occurs. Kagawad Santos mentioned that there are several drainages that are unused due to the negligence of the government before.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) once created a sewerage system project in Bulihan for farming irrigation. NIA is a government-owned and controlled corporation primarily responsible for irrigation development and management (https://www.nia.gov.ph/). However, the project was stopped due to the government’s failure in buying private lands.
“Dati kasi may NIA road, ang gilid niyan dati ay daanan ng tubig. Ang problema, ang NIA naman ay hindi naman pinagbabayaran 'yung mga may-ari noong hinukay nilang na 'yon, na ginawang daanan ng tubig. " Kagawad Santos further discussed.
Construction of subdivisions
Morever, Kagawad Jojo De Guzman sees that the construction of subdivision contributes to the causes of flooding. The barangay has 12 subdivisions including Grand Royale, Greenfields, and New Hope.
Kagawad Santos revealed that the developers of subdivisions are somehow accountable. As a former worker in city government, she has some insights on how the government and private developers works.
“Ang mga subdivisions medyo madadaya din. Nirerequire sila ng permit, 'di ba may mga regulatory offices tayo sa city government? Magpapa-approve sila ng kanilang zoning, at subdivision plans. Sa subdivisions plans, ang kanilang inapprove na plano sa kanilang drainage system, medyo malalaki. Pero kapag sila gumawa ng drainage system doon lang sa mga dugtungan. Doon lang malaki pero in between, maliliit naman. Na hindi naman lagi nababantayan ng city government.” she explained.
Increasing number of waste
The collection of garbage and maintaining the cleanliness of the streets are the operations that the barangay can do to lessen the impact of flooding.
They implemented “No segregation, No collection” policy and produced Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) under the Republic Act of 9003. Besides, the members of 4Ps program have a community service every Saturday wherein they clean selected areas in the barangay.
However, there are still irresponsible citizens who dump their unsegregated garbage in the street that are clogging the drainages. Also, the barangay’s garbage truck is not enough to accommodate 16 sitios and 12 subdivisions. For that reason, the officials allotted funds to purchase another truck.
What are the solutions that will put an end on the longtime flooding?
To address the issue, the local government came up with the project of excavation of river’s flooring. The purpose of excavation is to have more room for water to flow. They already excavated the Bulihan Creek near Malanggam Street last May 2021. This February 2022, they started working near the Blas Ople Diversion Road.
“Dapat ang ilog talaga ay regular na hinuhukay, para ang daloy ng tubig ay dire-diretso sa karagatan natin. Sa ngayon naman ay sinisimulan na ng Barangay Bulihan, kaya lang syempre hindi naman natin agad makikita ang resulta noon dahil hindi pa naman tapos.” Kagawad De Guzman explained.
“Ang pagpapalinis ng kanal o desilting, pagpapagawa sa sapa, hindi namin kayang pondohan yan dahil magastos yan,” Kagawad Santos explained that the barangay office needs funds from the city government to implement big projects.
In a nutshell...
The long term issue of flooding in Bulihan originates from government negligence and lack of enforcement, developers exploitation of the environment and the citizen’s lack of discipline.
Flooding is a big problem that requires a big solution. This will continue to disrupt lives if the people and the government will not collaborate together to minimize it. Both citizens and the officials have recognized its massive effect. And only a collective resolution can end this problem.
Kagawad Santos summed it up and I quote, “Kapag hindi mo minahal ang environment, ikaw rin ang magdudusa.”
References:
Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan Profile. PhilAtlas. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r03/bulacan/malolos/bulihan.html
Overview. National Irrigation Administration. https://www.nia.gov.ph/?q=content/overview
Republic Act 9003. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-2001/#:~:text=Republic%20Act%20No.%209003%20%7C%20Official%20Gazette%20of,penalties%2C%20appropriating%20funds%20therefor%2C%20and%20for%20other%20purposes
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