DPWH chief inspects Pasig River wall repairs

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson checked yesterday the progress of repairs along the wall and revetments that would prevent the Pasig River from spilling over.

He said the repairs and improvements of the wall along the 16-kilometer section of the Pasig River that cuts through Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasig are 94 percent complete.

“We might complete the project ahead of the June 2012 deadline. We just have to attend to the ‘gaps’ along the wall,” he said, referring to businesses and illegal settlers along the banks of the river.

The project, which is part of the DPWH’s flood control improvement program, was allocated P4 billion. The agency said once the repairs are complete and all the pumping stations are fully operational, flooding in Metro Manila would be minimized by mid-2012.

Singson said the DPWH will increase the height of the Pasig River wall by about two meters to lessen the chances of the river flooding the streets.

“Once we have completed the repairs and the pumping stations become fully operational, hopefully in instances when there is heavy rain, the floodwaters would subside much faster” since the pumping stations would be able to siphon the water from the streets and back into the Pasig River.

He said that streets along the Pasig River and low-lying areas will greatly benefit from the project, which comes at a time when many parts of the world experience abnormally heavy rains and excessive flooding.