Metro Manila drainage master plan talks underway – MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — The proposed Metro Manila drainage master plan has started moving forward with discussions already underway. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) led a meeting last Thursday and discussed the matter with representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute; Project NOAH; World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Development Bank; Woodfields Consultancy, Schema Konsult and local government units (LGU) in Metro Manila.

The officials discussed the “current projects, programs, and direction of the master plan” that would serve as reference for Metro Manila LGUs in expanding the capacity of their respective drainage systems, according to a statement from the MMDA.

Some of the officials present proposed “considering all historical and future scenarios, land use, urbanization and climate change” in coming up with the master plan.

Some also brought up the possible need for an inventory and a database of all drainage systems in Metro Manila, as well as possible “upgrading of the flood monitoring and early warning notification devices” and the “use of modern technology.”

They also emphasized the need for “coordination, alignment, interconnectivity and synchronization” of all projects and programs related to drainage in Metro Manila.

In previous interviews, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the master plan “would identify how big and wide the drainage system would be ‘to ensure that water would be free-flowing,’ ” referring to water entering the metropolis’ drainage systems during the rainy season.

Artes also expressed hope that it will prevent unstable flow of excess water due to varying sizes of drainage systems.

In addition, the plan is expected to establish how deep waterways or esteros should be, as well as the relocation of informal settler families living on the banks of waterways, according to the MMDA chief.

Earlier reports about the proposal said the Metro Manila drainage master plan would be made to endure changing weather and landscape conditions in the next 50 years with a “detailed engineering design” of drainage systems in the metropolis.

The master plan will be funded by the World Bank.