MMDA assesses extent of damage before plugging Pasay sinkhole

A personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority inspects a sinkhole that forms in the middle of Sales Road near the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday afternoon, April 14, 2024. Photo from the MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it is assessing if the “sinkhole” that formed in the middle of Sales Road near the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City has affected “the integrity” of Skyway’s foundation.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said investigations are still ongoing to determine the source of water before the “sinkhole” gets plugged and cemented.

MMDA on Sunday said it spotted a “sinkhole” in the middle of the road near Gate 3 of Villamor Air Base. As a result, motorists were advised to take alternative routes and avoid the area.

“Yan naman po ay pinagtutulong-tulungan, hindi lamang po ng Maynilad at ‘yung service provider po na tumitingin kung sa tubo ng tubig nila nanggagaling ang tubig,” said Artes.

(That’s what we are assessing. Not only Maynilad and the service provider checking if their pipe is the source of the leak.)

“Meron din po ang [Department of Public Works and Highways] at yung Skyway kasi kung makikita po natin doon sa pictures, marami pong poste ng Skyway ang nandyan so kailangan din pong tingnan kung naaapektuhan ang intengrity nitong  mga poste ng Skyway,” he added.

(DPWH and Skyway also have it because as we’ve seen in the pictures, Skyway has many posts in the area so we also have to check if the sinkhole has affected the integrity of Skyway posts.)

He, however, assured that the Skyway is still “safe.”

“Yun lamang po kanila pong ia-assess ito during the day kung ano pong epekto nitong sinkhole na ito at ano po ang extent ng damage,” he emphasized.

(We are only assessing during the day what the sinkhole’s effect is and what the extent of the damage is.)

MMDA has yet to categorically identity the cause of the “sinkhole,” but according to the US Geological Survey, sinkholes happen due to “dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum – when acidic water from rain and groundwater interacts with these rocks.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, head of the chamber’s panel on public works, said Maynilad Water Services Inc. as well as its constructors must be penalized over the sinkhole that formed along Sales Road.