The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has requested an additional ₱5.4 billion budget for 2026 to finance the construction of three major rainwater catchment facilities aimed at reducing flooding across Metro Manila.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said the planned facilities will be built in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and two locations in Manila — at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Rizal Park.
The estimated costs are ₱1.5 billion for Camp Aguinaldo, ₱2.2 billion for Rizal Memorial, and ₱1.7 billion for Rizal Park.
“We would like to request an amendment to our budget to fund at least three rain catchment facilities, which we believe will have a significant impact in addressing flooding,” Artes said during a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on Thursday, October 16.
The requested amount is separate from the MMDA’s ₱5.8-billion 2026 budget proposal and was not included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Artes noted that the construction of the facilities could be completed within a year, citing Singapore’s Orchard Road catchment system as a successful model.
“So we want to replicate it. We had it studied, and the Singaporean government kindly agreed to assist us,” he added.
The proposed basins will be around 10 meters deep, equivalent to three to four stories, and will be reinforced to withstand earthquakes, according to the MMDA.
Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said the proposal is “worth considering”, though he admitted that public skepticism remains high over flood-control projects.
“Whenever we mention flood control projects, they’re immediately rejected. But there should be exemptions—especially for those that are truly necessary,” Ejercito said.