Flood control project faces further delays

MANILA, Philippines–More bad news for residents and motorists adversely affected by the delay in the completion of the P560 million flood interceptor project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Blumentritt, Manila.

The water catchment facility that will direct floodwaters from northern Metro Manila to Sunog Apog creek in Tondo and then Manila Bay is not expected to be completed until next year.

This developed following Maynilad Water Services’ disclosure that March 31, 2015, was its target completion date for its pipe realignment project.

The pipe lies directly in the path of the 3.3-kilometer flood control project at the intersection of Juan Luna and Hermosa Streets which was supposed to be completed within 300 working days. As of now, it is only 30 percent complete.

The pipe has a diameter of 1.2 meters while the DPWH box culvert is 6 meters wide and 3 meters deep.

Jennifer Rufo, head of Maynilad’s Stakeholders Communications office, told the Inquirer that this was discussed during a meeting between the utility firm’s “technical group” and DPWH representatives.

“However, the DPWH is requesting that we [complete it] possibly by February 2015,” she said.

Rufo pointed out in an e-mail that “to accommodate an earlier completion date, our contractors would need to completely block off Juan Luna Street from traffic so they can facilitate the construction work.”–Jerry E. Esplanada