WATCH: Marcos inspects broken Malabon-Navotas navigational gate he ordered repaired in 2024

The navigational gate, a crucial flood barrier for the two cities, is expected to be fully repaired on August 8

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, July 26, inspected the broken Malabon-Navotas (Tangos-Tanza) navigational gate that remained broken a year after he first ordered the repair of the vital flood mitigation structure.

The site inspection took place exactly a year after he went to the facility and ordered the speedy repair of the navigational gate, which was rammed into by a rogue barge in June 2024. This was days after heavy rains due to Typhoon Carina (Gaemi), coupled with high tide and the broken navigational gate, unleashed record flooding in Malabon and Navotas on July 24, 2024.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the President gave fresh instructions to improve flood control in Malabon and Navotas, including the construction of “additional protection works” such as retaining walls near the Manila Bay area to limit tidal overflow into the two cities.

In a press statement, the Presidential Communications Office cited Michael Doce, chief of the Pumping Station and Flood Gates Division of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, as saying the President’s inspection of the site will “fast-track the repair work,” which is “expected to be completed on August 8.” The Navotas public information office had earlier announced an August completion date.

The date of repair, however, will again depend on weather conditions, Doce said.

The navigational gate was built to prevent tidal overflow in Malabon and Navotas. Since it was broken, and especially during the high tide season beginning in June, residents of the two cities have been suffering from extensive flooding not experienced in decades, disrupting daily life and businesses.

The structure was supposedly operational beginning November 2024, but needed additional repairs in May 2025, or just before the onset of the rainy season and high tide days. – Rappler.com