Manila flood control project almost complete, says DPWH

MANILA, Philippines—To help lessen the problem of flooding in Metro Manila, the Department of Public Works and Highways has nearly finished increasing the height of the dikes and revetments along a 16-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said Saturday.

Singson said the P4 billion project was now 94 percent complete but would be finished by June 2012 as a lot of squatters have yet to be relocated.

“This is part of our flood control master plan and would help reduce flooding, particularly in the cities along the river,” said Singson, who inspected the project on Saturday.

The project increases the height of the dikes and revetment along the River as it cuts through the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasig, Singson said.

He said the height of the dikes was increased by as much as two meters to prevent the river from overflowing during heavy downpours.

“With the help of our pumping stations, this project should minimize the flooding in these areas,” Singson said.

He added that a Belgian firm earlier finished dredging up the Pasig River as part of its rehabilitation.