THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said it proposed the construction of rain water impounding facilities in the compound of Camp Aguinaldo, the Armed Forces’ headquarters, to help address the recurring flooding problem during heavy downpour, especially along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).
The agency acknowledged that the current drainage system along EDSA is insufficient to manage the huge volume of rainwater, resulting in flooding and heavy traffic problem.
It added that the problem would be addressed by the impounding facilities.
“These detention ponds are designed to temporary store excess rainwater during heavy rains and gradually release it into the drainage system along EDSA going into Makiling Creek, preventing the drainage system from becoming overwhelmed,” an MMDA presentation on the project showed.
The agency said it could store up to 37,200 cubic meters of rainwater and be pumped out by three pumping stations.
“During rainfall event, floodwaters will be directed towards the detention ponds. Floodwaters will be contained inside the detention ponds until the rain stops,” the MMDA said.
“After the rainfall event, or when the drainage system along EDSA stabilizes, floodwaters shall pump out to the lagoon and then to EDSA going to Makiling Creek,” it added.
The detention ponds, the presentation showed, would have an area of 4, 650 square meters and a depth of 8 meters.
The agency has yet to put a price tag on the construction of said facility.
Earlier, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes blamed haphazard dumping of garbage as among the main causes of flooding in the metropolis.
Artes said garbage and debris flooding its pumping stations could affect the latter’s operation, especially during heavy downpour when they have to operate for longer period of time.
Artes lamented the fact that despite repeated appeals and information campaign by the agency, there are still those who throw their garbage in a haphazard manner.
