Tree-planting and other lasting solutions to floods

I read Melchor Amado Jr.’s letter in the June 19 issue of the Inquirer. Allow me to add the following suggestions:

1. Let’s dredge all rivers, canals, esteros in Metro Manila and bury the garbage along the river/canal banks to make the banks higher.

2. Let’s relocate the informal settlers who have put up their houses right on waterways so that the rivers, canals and esteros will be clear of obstacles for better water flow. And let’s have more water outlets on our road drainage systems and let’s keep them free from obstructions at all times.

3. Let’s plant trees in deforested areas. Trees break and lessen the destructive power of typhoons and they help prevent floods.

4. Let’s keep our rivers clean to allow faster water flow to the sea.

—ROMEO M. FRANCISCO,

rm.francisco@yahoo.com.ph