MMDA: 70% of Metro waterways dredged

MANILA, Philippines - Despite its meager budget, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has dredged more than 70 percent of the waterways all over Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the MMDA could have done more had they have enough manpower and heavy equipment.

“To date, the agency has completed 70.91 percent of its annual target for Metro Manila’s waterways. Stated otherwise, 39,436 out of a total of 55,608 linear meters of waterways have been declogged,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the waterways that were already dredged by MMDA includes Estero de Kabulusan, North and South Antipolo open canal, Estero dela Reina and Estero de Magdalena, all in Manila and the Roxas Boulevard canal, Maricaban creek in Taguig, Marikina River and Buli creek in Marikina City, Washington, Piy Maral and Economia in Central Manila, Peripheral canals in Caloocan, Tullahan River in Malabon, PNR open canal, Estero Tripa De Gallina, San Juan and E. Rodriguez Avenue in Pasay City, Tangue creek in Quezon City’s second district, Maytunas creek in Mandaluyong, Estero de Pandacan in South Manila and Cutcut creek in Parañaque City.

He said 10,370 linear meters of manholes, canals and drainages in Estero Tripa de Gallina-Buendia, PNR open canal, Espana Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Pureza street in Sta. Mesa, Quirino Avenue, Taft Avenue, San Francisco street in Mandaluyong and E. Rodriguez were declogged for an accomplishment rate of 60.01 percent.

Budget proposal

“For 2011, the Department of Budget and Management has proposed a P980 million budget for the agency, short of the P1.5 billion it originally requested,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said they are offsetting their meager budget through a strengthened cooperation with the private sector such as the recent memorandum of agreement it has signed with San Miguel Corporation, where the latter would fund the clean-up of the 15 kilometer Tullahan river and with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

He said he has already talked with DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson to identify projects and infrastructure which they can collaborate on.

The MMDA is also crafting an integrated Metro Manila flood control plan dubbed as “Metro Manila Blueprint 2030” citing that the existing one was crafted around 1952.

Tolentino said he expect the draft to be finished by mid-November this year.

He said new pumping stations will also be constructed and additional pumps will be installed to increase Metro Manila’ capacity to drain floodwaters.

The MMDA is presently operating 50 major and minor pumping stations in Metro Manila.

“We cannot avoid floods. Accept that as a reality, just like we cannot avoid traffic. But we can reduce floods and the consequence,” Tolentino said.