(File photo)
MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it would install more pumping stations in Metro Manila to further mitigate the flooding problem in the metropolis.
In a Laging Handa public briefing, MMDA deputy chairperson Frisco San Juan Jr. said the agency will focus on its flood control and management projects next year to achieve its goal of making Metro Manila flood-resilient.
"Siyempre, gusto natin na ang pagbaha ay talagang mapawi na at hindi na mangyari, lalo na dito sa Kamaynilaan kung saan ito po ang ating capital, financial capital, government capital, at marami po tayong mga mamamayan na nandidito sa Kamaynilaan (Of course, we want to reduce flood vulnerability of Metro Manila considering that this is our financial capital and government capital, and it’s where a significant number of our countrymen reside)," he said.
He said MMDA is continuously upgrading its flood-mitigating stations.
It is also currently studying the construction of a new pumping station in Tatalon in Araneta in Quezon City.
"At sa atin pong mga kapaligiran, iyong atin pong flood control kagaya ng binanggit natin kanina ay patuloy ang ating pag-i-improve/upgrade ng ating mga pumping stations dito sa Kamaynilaan (In terms of flood control, we are constantly improving or upgrading the pumping stations in the Metro Manila)," he said.
He said MMDA is also conducting the cleanup of waterways, esteros and canals as another flood mitigation measure.
The agency has earlier committed to further intensify efforts and initiatives toward making Metro Manila more resilient to floods in response to climate-related impacts.
In November, MMDA acting chair Romando Artes expressed hope for the extension of its flood management project to successfully alleviate flood management issues in the National Capital Region through the Metro Manila Flood Management Project.
The project funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is set to close on Nov. 30, 2024. (PNA)
