THE horror of the killer floods brought typhoon ‘‘Ondoy’’ may have heightened public vigilance and disaster preparedness, but the government won’t still be able to cope if a similar deluge happens again.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson admitted that the government is not ready for another Ondoy-like disaster.

Singson said the drainage system in Metro Manila was not made to contain  colossal volume of rain such as Ondoy’s.

‘‘Kaya kung may bagyo na kasing lakas ng Ondoy, di natin kaya since the design of our drainage is not (built for) that kind of volume,” the DPWH head said.

Earlier, Undersecretary Graciano Yumul of the Department of Science and Technology warned concerned government agencies to brace for more damaging typhoons since the country may still be hit by 22 cyclones this year. Of this number, nine to 10 will make landfall.

The DOST official said there would be more frequent storms with more intensity.

As part of preparations for disasters, Singson said talks with concerned agencies like the Metro Manila Development Authority are on going.

“Inaayos na natin ang master plan for flood control, not only in Metro Manila but also for the whole area of the river basin including Marikina river, Laguna Lake and the Pampanga river,” he said.

Dredging and pipe cleaning are also being carried out, he said.

He said they are studying the installation of a tunnel along España and Araneta Avenue which are constantly being flooded.

“Taon-taon na lang binabaha yang mga lugar na yan kaya we have to start working,” he added.