Flood control project faces more delays

Expect more delays in the government’s P560-million floodwater interceptor project in Blumentritt, Manila, after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) asked for more time to review its engineering plans on the installation of the water catchment facility.

DPWH-National Capital Region project engineer Edgardo Ramos said that they were “still working on the design stage” of the underground facility at the intersection of Juan Luna and Hermosa Streets.

“That’s the subject of our April 24 meeting with representatives of Maynilad Water Services,” he told the Inquirer.

About 3.3 kilometers long, 6 meters wide and 3 meters deep, a portion of the catchment lies above a Maynilad water pipe in the Blumentritt area.

The project began in July with a completion target of 300 days although only 30 percent of the work has been completed so far because of right-of-way issues and the presence of underground facilities belonging to Maynilad and the Philippine National Railways, among others. The Maynilad water pipe, for example, would need to be realigned.

When contacted, Maynilad corporate communications chief Cherubim Mojica said that DPWH engineers had “requested for more time, about five days, to review their engineering options and designs.”

She added that their pipe realignment project “remains an option until the DPWH finalizes its engineering plans for its flood interceptor project.”

Maynilad was forced to cancel its pipe realignment activity during the Holy Week due to a defective 30-year-old valve.