Dev Flores

The San Juan River overflowed on August 17, 2026, following the persistent rainfall across Metro Manila, leaving parts of G. Araneta Avenue impassable to motorists for several hours due to floodwaters.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon stated that despite recent dredging operations along the San Juan River and drainage expansion efforts on G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, these remain insufficient to handle extreme rainfall volumes.

Hence, the agency plans to construct a detention basin in the city to minimize flooding.

“Nakikipag-coordinate lang kami sa LGU, sa QC. Kung pag na-identify na natin kung gaano kalaki 'yung lupa then madi-design na natin nang maayos,” Dizon said

[“We are coordinating with the local government unit in Quezon City. Once we identify the land area, we can finalize the design.”]

Authorities are considering Sitio Kaingin Bukid in Barangay Apolonio Samson as a potential site for the facility.

“Dito ang i-identify pa rin namin yung Kaingin Bukid, yung isa. So we have to work with that, pero mag-laki yon. Kaya lang kailangan tulungan kami ng LGU for the right of way,” Sec. Dizon said

[We are identifying here the Kaingin Bukid. So, we have to work with that, but it’s a large area. That’s  why we need the assistance of the LGU for the right of way.”]

A detention basin is an excavated catchment designed to temporarily store large volumes of water during heavy rains to prevent flooding in surrounding communities. A similar facility was previously constructed beneath a basketball court in Barangay Tandang Sora.

The DPWH plans to begin the expansion of drainage systems along both sides of G. Araneta Avenue next year.

The Department of Migrant Workers National Capital Region (DMW-NCR) successfully rescued 68 overseas workers applicants from an unsafe and inhumane accommodation facility in Parañaque City.

Authorities ordered the closure of the facility. According to the DMW, the operation was made through the joint efforts of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the OFW Hospital.

The facility was reportedly operated by ATC Human Resource Inc. at Rock Solid Manpower and Consultancy Inc.

“... Unregistered accommodation facility in Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City, reportedly maintained and shared by two licensed recruitment agencies, ATC Human Resources, Inc. and Rock Solid Manpower & Consultancy, Inc.,” according to DMW NCR

Aside from the unsafe and inhumane accommodations, the DMW identified an alleged violation regarding ‘withholding of passports’.

“The passports of all 68 OFW applicants were confirmed being kept by the agencies instead of remaining in the possession of their respective owners,” according to DMW-NCR

The DMW NCR also discovered falsification of applicants’ documents

“The team encountered a 23-year-old OFW applicant whose identification documents were confirmed to have been falsified or altered by a representative of the agency, a matter requiring further investigation and appropriate legal action,” the DMW said

The rescued applicants are now under the care of OWWA.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon stated to expand the existing drainage inlets near major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. 

In an interview earlier, the Secretary mentioned that EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, España Boulevard, Taft Avenue, and C5 Road will be included in the targets.

The construction to expand drainage inlets could possibly begin before the end of the year.

According to Dizon, the agency will utilize the maintenance funds for the expansion project.

“Kahit na walang flood control funds for 2026, meron naman tayong mga maintenance funds na pwedeng paggamitan non, so gagamitin na natin yung maintenance funds natin to lengthen and make the inlets bigger,” Sec. Dizon said

Sec. Dizon also inspected the Remedios Pumping Station in Roxas Boulevard and announced that the two new pumping machines have arrived and are ready to be installed once the weather improves.

Although the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has taken responsibility for the delayed response of the 911 hotline, they are now investigating who was negligent in the issue related to Basty Askri’s concern.

“DILG takes full responsibility for every gap we find, and we will find them,” according to DILG Public Affairs and Communications Usec. Rolando Puno

Around 33 operators are being looked into for possible involvement in the incident. The DILG stated that the call was immediately transferred to the local government; however, responders allegedly struggled to determine the exact address.

Authorities also stated that their headsets have a voice-cancelling feature, and the allegation of laughter on the line is still being investigated.

The agency assured that anyone proven negligent in handling the emergency call will be held accountable.

“If there is any person or persons na found na meron silang kakulangan, or kasalanan sa incident na ito, definitely they will face legal action from the department,” DILG Usec. Jed Mabilog said

Meanwhile, DILG Public Affairs and Communications Usec. Rolando Puno expressed his condolences to the family of Askri.

Heavy rains and flooding have been experienced across Metro Manila for several days, caused by the Southwest Monsoon.

In line with this, work in government offices has been affected, which is why the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has also been suspended.

In total, the trial has been cancelled for three days — two days this week, and one day last week.

However, Senate Impeachment Court Spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol explained that as of now, they do not yet see the trial as being delayed or disrupted due to bad weather.

Atty. Tongol was asked if it is possible to hold the proceedings virtually if the weather doesn’t improve in the coming days.

In response, he explained that it would still require a formal motion and a reasonable basis from both sides before an alternative method of trial could take place or be established.

“Wala po kasi sa impeachment rules natin yung virtual court hearing,” Atty. Tongol said

[“Virtual court hearing is not included in the impeachment rules.”]

“Bago ka magkaroon ng video conferencing hearing, kailangang mag-move yung either party and to give reasonable or justifiable reason kung ba't kailangan ng online or virtual hearing,” he added

[“Before you can have a video conferencing, either party needs to move and give a reasonable or justifiable reason why an online or virtual hearing is necessary.”]

He called it a logistical nightmare or a major challenge for the impeachment court if they force the trial to be held on a virtual platform.

“24 senator-judges yung kailangan naka-online din para mag-constitute ng quorum. Kailangan, at least 13 ang naka-online,” he said

[“There are 24 senator-judges who also need to be online to constitute a quorum. At least 13 need to be online.”]

“So medyo madugo-dugo po yan, plus yung House Prosecution Panel, masyadong marami rin na mga tao sila at pati yung respondents,” 

[“So that’s quite difficult, plus the House Prosecution Panel, they also have too many people, as well as the respondents.”]

“So marami rin pong tao yon, in even the ah staff ng ating mga Senator-judges and the Clerk of Court po ng impeachment court. So medyo it's a logistical nightmare kung magkakaroon ng virtual hearing,”

[“So that is also a lot of people, and even the staff of our Senator-judges and the Clerk of Court of the impeachment court. So, it’s a bit of a logistical nightmare if there will be a virtual hearing.”]

Atty. Tongol clarified that the Senate Impeachment Court is not actually considering the trial to be conducted online due to lack of legal basis. However, if that is forced, the existing Senate rules, as well as the Senate Court Impeachment Rules, would first need to be amended.