The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is targeting June 2027 for the completion of five priority rainwater catchment projects out of a planned 39 facilities in the capital region.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes disclosed during a Palace press briefing that the five initial sites will be presented to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto for immediate implementation.
“Iyong five priority projects na ipi-present po namin kay ES this Thursday lima lang po iyong ipi-present namin na tingin namin kaya namin tapusin by June 2027,” Artes said.
The MMDA chief indicated that the remaining facilities could follow shortly after, provided construction starts without delay.
“Pero the rest po nitong 39 kung masisimulan po, I think we can finish naman po within the year by December 2027,” Artes added.
The five priority locations slated for development include Miriam College, Camp Aguinaldo, Rajah Sulayman Park, Remedios Circle, and the University of the Philippines Sunken Garden.
To fund the flood-mitigation network, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in partnership with the World Bank, has committed $200 million toward the implementation of the projects.
Local government units assisted in mapping out flood-prone zones and pin-pointing viable construction areas during preliminary workshops.
Artes confirmed that all 39 proposed sites have complete technical designs and are ready for immediate execution. He noted that the designs go beyond standard underground storage.
“Iba’t ibang klase po ng proyekto ito, hindi po lahat ay iyong ring catchment na cistern-type kung saan maggagawa po tayo ng water tank sa ilalim ng lupa,” Artes explained.
The overall strategy blends built infrastructure with natural water retention methods to handle urban runoff more efficiently.
“Kung ma-explain ko lang po, kasi ang concept po ng sponge city at nature-based solution ay nagtutulong iyong gray infrastructure tulad ng mga pumping stations at iba pa doon po sa natural na pag-catch ng tubig,” Artes added.
Addressing experts’ recommendations, Artes stressed that worsening global climate conditions require a shift in how the government handles severe weather events.
Experts emphasized that “we should no longer try to control or fight against water”.
“Dapat po ay i-manage. At iyan po ang purpose ng sponge city and nature-based solution na ginagawa na po sa Singapore, sa China, sa Netherlands, sa UK at sa iba pa pong lugar,” the MMDA chief concluded.