MANILA, Philippines—The construction of the new drainage system inside the University of Santo Tomas in Espana, Manila, is now 75 percent completed, the UST’s facilities management director, Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., revealed in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
The project, which was slated for completion in 15 months, began in November 2018 and is meant to solve the university’s decades-old flooding problem.
“Storm drainage improvement for UST España campus at 75% completion rate. Flood-free UST? Keeping our fingers crossed,” Austria wrote.
According to the plan shared on UST’s official website, a total of seven zones are affected: Araullo Drive, Arellano Drive, Osmeña Drive, Quezon Drive, Leon Ma. Guerrero Drive, Ceferino Gonzales Drive and Leon Maria Guerrero Drive.
For years, UST has worked toward responding to the issue through solid-waste management system and road developments.
In 2015, the Department of Public Works and Highways proposed the construction of a catchment area in the university, but it was opposed by several quarters who wanted to protect the university’s open field, which was decared a National Cultural Treasure in 2010. /ra