MMDA flood project ‘on right track’ – Artes

MANILA, Philippines — The first phase of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s flood management project is “on the right track,” an official said yesterday.

The project, which began in 2017, is expected to be finished next year.

The first phase of the project, which is funded by the World Bank, would reduce the risk of flooding in Metro Manila.

“Amid the continuous increase of waste generated in the metropolis, the MMDA shall continue pursuing initiatives and technologies that improve solid waste management in the metropolis,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

“We are committed to working together with the concerned agencies to achieve a Metro Manila that is more resilient to floods,” he added.

In an interview with The STAR, Artes said a large component of the project is the construction and rehabilitation of pumping stations across Metro Manila.

He said three pumping stations are expected to be finished this year and once they are completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways would turn them over to the MMDA.

One station has been rehabilitated.

The government plans to build 20 new stations and rehabilitate 36 others.

The MMDA is also handling the second component of the project, which is solid waste management around the pumping stations.

The third component of the project is the relocation of informal settlers around the stations.

The MMDA and representatives of the World Bank inspected the project last week.

The site of a solid waste granulator and brick-making facility was the first to be inspected. It is a technology that converts solid waste to reusable by-products, such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials, according to Artes.

The mobile materials recovery facility at Pateros, where people could “trade” their recyclables for grocery items, also underwent inspection.