DPWH explains delayed flood-control project in Manila

TRAFFIC PROBLEM TODAY, FLOOD SOLUTION TOMORROW. The P560-million “floodwater interceptor project” of the DPWH on Blumentritt, Manila, is designed to hold rainwater coming all the way from Quezon City and divert it to a Tondo creek and then to Manila Bay. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) acknowledged Monday that its P560-million Blumentritt floodwater interceptor project in Manila had been congesting traffic in the area for the past eight months, but that it would offer a big relief to the city once completed later this year.

“Our main objective is to address perennial flooding in that part of Manila. The interceptor will serve as a catchment facility for flood waters from Quezon City and direct them to Sunog Apog creek in Tondo and then out to Manila Bay,” according to project engineer Edgardo Ramos of the DPWH National Capital Region office.

Ramos said the five-phase project remained only about 30 percent completed. “It started in July last year but was slowed down and prevented from meeting its 300-calendar day completion target because of right-of-way (issues) and the presence of underground facilities of utility firms like Maynilad and Philippine National Railways, among others. The work teams also have to deal with the daily volume of

traffic.”

About 3.3 kilometers long, six meters wide and three meters deep, a portion of the catchment lies above a Maynilad water pipe at the corner of Juan Luna and Hermosa streets. “There was a need to lower the pipe so the drainage box culvert could be placed directly on top of it,” the engineer explained.

The DPWH has engaged the services of two private contractors—LR Tiqui Builders and Northern Builders—for the project.

Maynilad earlier said there would be a three-day water service interruption in the coming Holy Week in some parts of Metro Manila and the neighboring province of Cavite because of work to be done in the

project.

In a statement, the water company said the DPWH had given it the go signal to undertake the pipe realignment works during the Holy Week, when household water consumption is expected to go down as many residents leave for the provinces.

Maynilad said it also planned to implement “alternating service interruptions in several areas so affected customers can have one day to restock on their water supplies.”

The utility firm urged customers to store enough water for the duration of the water service interruptions. Those with existing overhead tanks were advised to clean them first before using them to store

water.