Pasig-Marikina River clean-up hits snag

Flooding in the Pasig-Marikina River is expected to continue after the government admitted that the river’s clean-up drive has hit some problems.

The Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP), which aims to mitigate the frequent inundation or massive flooding caused by the overflowing of the river, has not been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

"There are still issues with the project," NEDA director general Romulo L. Neri said in an interview. He, however, refused to elaborate on the matter.

The P4.608-billion clean-up project is supposed to be financed by the government of Japan ’s Special Term for Economic Partnership (STEP). Total foreign cost is P2.419 billion while the local cost counterpart is P2.189 billion.

Should the project push through, it will lessen the overflowing of the river through the construction of revetments, walls, and drainage structures.

The PMRCIP will also involve drainage improvement in the areas surrounding the river as excess water from these places end up in the river further contributing to the overflow.

The project study also proposes to undertake an excavation of 15,000 cubic meters of soil deposits covering the stretch from Del Pan Bridge to the Napindan hydraulic control structure in order to prevent flooding.

NEDA said upon completion of the project, the overflowing of the river may be prevented even during heavy rains. This means that the flooding in the area will be lessened significantly.

According to the project study, the flooding of the Pasig-Marikina River results in severe damage to lives, livestock, properties and infrastructure.

Aside from reducing the incidence of flooding, the PMRCIP aims to improve the carrying capacity of the river, not to mention enhancing the river’s environment and aesthetic conditions, controlling the spread of water borne disease and improving the river’s water quality.