DPWH programs P50 M for more rainwater tanks in public schools

MANILA, Philippines—After spending P78 million on rainwater collection systems at public schools and other state facilities in Metro Manila and other parts of the country in the past two years, the Department of Public Works and Highways has set aside an additional P50 million for more such water impounding facilities.

In its midterm accomplishment report, the DPWH said a total of 513 rainwater collection systems or RCS had been installed by the agency in public schools and other state facilities nationwide.

“An additional P50 million is included in the DPWH budget for 2013 for the construction of additional units of RCS,” it said.

The department is also set to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education that would “incorporate rainwater collection systems in the standard design of public schools under the public-private partnership school building program,” said the same report.

It said the DPWH was also working with the Metro Manila Development Authority “for the enactment of an ordinance that would require business and commercial establishments to come up with programs aimed at reducing flooding in the metropolis.”

The department is also pushing for the “improvement of flood information and warning systems” in the National Capital Region.

In a related development, the department said it would continue to help clean up Manila Bay and identify squatters living along esteros and other waterways in Metro Manila.

“As of December 2012, a total of 15,510 illegal structures and 230 fishpens in communities ringing Manila Bay had been identified by the DPWH,” it said.

It did not say, however, if and when it would dismantle these structures.

Last year, it said, the department cleared at least 422 illegal structures along rivers in Cagayan Valley.