By Brian Campued
As part of the government’s various initiatives to address perennial flooding in Metro Manila, a total of 39 sites across the capital region were identified for the construction of floodwater storage and retention projects designed to manage rainwater collection.
Malacañang released the list of possible sites on Thursday, a day after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed the need to build underground cisterns to temporarily hold large volumes of rainwater during intense downpours and reduce pressure on drainage and flood-control systems.
The proposed sites include:
- Open area in Brgy. Moonwalk, Parañaque City
- University of the Philippines Sunken Garden, Quezon City
- Ermitaño Creek, San Juan City
- Baseco Lagoon, Manila
- Navotas Coastal Dike
- Pasay City Linear Ecopark
- Maytunas Creek (Downstream), San Juan City
- Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, Manila
- Chino Roces Avenue underpass, Makati City
- Tanza Marine Tree Park, Navotas City
- Malabon Sports Complex (oval)
- Damar Village Park, Quezon City
- Wawang Pulo Pumping Station, Valenzuela City
- Polo Riverwalk (right bank), Valenzuela City
- Camella 3D basketball court, Las Piñas City
- Malabon People’s Park
- Bukuhan Agricultural Area, Pateros
- Open area beside Muntinlupa Sports Complex
- National Housing Authority’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program property in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City
- Parking lot in Bukuhan, Pateros
- Buhangin Creek, Mandaluyong City
- University of Caloocan City (proposed sunken garden)
- Maytunas Creek (upstream), Mandaluyong City
- Jamboree Lake (near the New Bilibid Prison), Muntinlupa City
- Hardin ng Bayan, Marikina City
- Maya and Maysapang Creek pumping station, Taguig City
- Freedom Triangle Plaza, Manila
- New township/development area in Pasig City
- Rizal High School track and field oval, Pasig City
- Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
- Pinagsama Creek Daylighting, Taguig City
- Cultural Center of the Philippines–Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
- Open space behind Avida Towers in Parañaque City
- Marikina River floodplains (Bagong Sibol), Marikina City
- Daang Hari Road, Las Piñas City
- Tierra Verde II Park, Quezon City
- Estero de Tripa de Gallina, Makati City
- Miriam College open field, Quezon City
- Remedios Circle, Manila
According to Malacañang, different approaches will be employed depending on the site, including constructed or natural inland wetlands, bioretention areas or detention ponds, river renaturation, mangrove forests rehabilitation, green spaces and corridors, and river floodplains among others.
During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is awaiting detailed engineering studies before proceeding with the proposed projects.
“Inaasahang matatapos ngayong buwan ang detailed engineering ng proyekto bago simulan ang paghuhukay,” Usec. Castro said.
The President also directed officials to study ways of putting the collected water to productive use rather than simply discharging it into the sea.
“Ayaw ng Pangulo na mai-pump-out lang ang maiipong tubig-ulan kung hindi magamit din ito sa panahon ng tagtuyot,” Usec. Castro said.
Meanwhile, concerned government agencies continue to implement flood management initiatives, including dredging and clearing of waterways, upgrading of seawalls, and improving the capacity of pumping stations.
“Binigyang diin din ng Pangulo na dapat magtuloy-tuloy ang kontra baha program at siguruhing ligtas ang bawat Pilipino sa oras ng sakuna,” Usec. Castro said. (with report from Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
-jpv
