DPWH constructing more pumping stations to ease flooding

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to construct more pumping stations in Metro Manila to address perennial flooding, according to a report on "24 Oras" by Jonathan Andal.

At least 27 pumping stations are in the pipeline which will augment the 71 pumphouses currently being operated to ease floods.

Following a thunderstorm on Tuesday night, several areas in Metro Manila went under water anew stranding vehicles and passengers in various cities.

Compared to the past, the DPWH said floodwaters easily subside these days due to the operational pumping stations and other flood control measures of the government.

"Yung España kasi mayroon tayo yung Earnshaw, yung Bustillos, papunta sa pumping station ng Quiapo ... naaddress na natin ang pagbaha diyan, hindi na gaano siya nagtatagal," DPWH-National Capital Region maintenance division engineer Reynaldo Rosario said.

"Wala kaming natanggap na report na yung España was closed for a period of 6 hours to be considered as closed road," he added.

However, the department said the tons of garbage that get in the pumphouses and clog drainage systems remain a problem.

"Definitely we cannot eliminate flooding in Metro Manila. Nandyan 'yan, kasama natin 'yan ang baha. ..ang magagawa lang natin diyan is to minimize the effect of the flooding," Rosario said.

In Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, a detention tank under the Burgos Circle, as deep as a five-storey building, has been installed to capture water when it rains.

After the rain, the volume of water is released to the Pasig River, and this engineering design keeps the area flood-free.

"Napakaling gastusin 'yan," Rosario said. "Yung football ground ng UST binalak naming gawing detention tank to store the runoff within the Sampaloc-España area."

He added, "6-9 meters ang lalim na gagawin detention tanks doon. But sad to say it was not given favorable consideration by the management of UST. Restriction on open space 'yun ang nagiging problema natin."—LDF, GMA Integrated News