Pedestrians wade through gutter- to knee-deep floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat on Monday, August 17. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to complete the widening and improvement of 20 drainage inlets along España Boulevard in Manila by the end of October as part of efforts to address persistent flooding in the area.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday said four of the 20 inlets have already been completed, with 16 more set to be worked on.
“Dito sa area ng España ‘yung pinakamadalas binabaha. Dalawampung inlet ang aayusin natin at papalakihin natin dito,” Sec. Dizon said. “Nakagawa na tayo ng apat. Meron pa tayong 16 na gagawin.”
“Ang commitment ng ating DE at ng ating regional office, within the month of October tapos na ‘yung 20 bagong inlet na inaayos natin,” he added.
He said vendors in the area observed that floodwaters receded faster after heavy rains following the completion of the first four inlets.
Dizon said the inlet improvements are not expected to completely eliminate flooding in España, but are intended to help speed up the drainage of floodwaters during heavy rains.
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Apart from the inlet widening, Dizon said four cross-drainage projects are scheduled to begin construction in November. The DPWH also presented to the University of Santo Tomas a proposal to establish a detention basin, which the university community will study.
“Napakaganda po ng meeting natin sa UST… prinesent natin sa kanila ‘yung mga iba’t ibang ginagawa natin, kasama na ‘yung mga pagpapalaki ng mga inlet,” Dizon shared.
“Magsisimula na ‘yung construction natin ngayong November nung cross drainage na sinabi ko nung nakaraang bumisita ako.”
The DPWH is also implementing improvements to a total of 72 drainage inlets across Metro Manila, including those in España.
“Meron tayong 72 inlets na inaayos Metro Manila-wide, kasama na ‘yung sa España,” said Dizon.
“Hindi maso-solve nang tuluyan pero malaki na ang maitutulong nito sa mga susunod na Linggo, susunod na buwan, na I’m sure uulan na naman,” he added.
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