THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said the World Bank has approved its 50-year drainage master plan to mitigate flooding in the metropolis.
“Aprub na siya sa World Bank.Pina-plan out na lang namin ‘yung terms of reference para magawa natin at mapondohan (It is already approved by the World Bank. We are finalizing the terms of reference for it to be funded),” said MMDA chief Romando Artes.
“Gusto natin na ‘yung drainage na gagawin ay magiging efficient (We want to make sure the drainage that we’re going to put in is efficient),” Artes added.
The World Bank will provide the funding through a soft loan though Artes did not disclose the amount involved.
He said the agency, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, is conducting an “inventory and scoping” who among the LGUs already have their own drainage masterplan so that it can be integrated into the comprehensive masterplan.
“Dahil sa 50 taon ang plano, kinokonsidera ng ahensiya ang weather pattern, sea level, at projected rainfall para siguradong epektibo at tatagal ng limang dekada ang ating plano (Since the plan covers a 50-year period, we have to consider also the weather pattern, sea level, and projected rainfall to make sure it is effective and will last for as much as five decades),” he explained.
Earlier, Artes said while the government has built pumping stations – 71 of which are operated by the MMDA – to help flush out floodwaters during heavy downpour, drains that are clogged with garbage and debris continue to be a problem.
The pumping stations push the flood water to the Pasig River or to the Manila Bay.
Artes said there is a need to improve Metro Manila’s drainage system as its design is outdated and incapable of holding a huge volume of water during heavy downpour.
He said the masterplan will address the problem by making sure the drainage systems in the metropolis will be common in terms of size and design.
The drainage master plan also aims to synchronize the policies, strategies and programs to address flooding and drainage improvement works in the national capital region.
