The MRT-7 Project Management Office (MRT-7 PMO) on Tuesday denied that its facilities near Batasan Station on Commonwealth Ave. caused the recent flooding in the area.
The statement comes in response to renewed claims linking the ongoing railway project to the incident.
“All MRT-7 structures in the area, including columns and footings, were built outside existing drainage lines and do not obstruct the natural flow of water,” MRT-7 PMO said.
“These were constructed with full consideration of the drainage layout and in compliance with approved engineering plans,” it said.
The office also addressed concerns about a manhole constructed along the drainage line. “Based on design, simulation, and on-site inspection, the manhole does not interfere with water flow inside the pipe culverts,” it said.
MRT-7 PMO said while construction during earlier phases did affect a section of the drainage system, this was fully coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The affected segment was restored upon completion, and on March 3, 2025, the DPWH Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office certified that the drainage was “100 percent completely restored in accordance with standard plans and specifications”, it said.
Following the most recent flooding, MRT-7 engineers inspected the area and found the drainage outlet heavily clogged with plastic waste and debris. This significantly reduced the system’s capacity, likely contributing to the surface flooding.
MRT-7 PMO, at a recent interagency meeting with the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), requested any documentation indicating obstructions caused by the project. As of Tuesday, no such documents have been provided, it said.
MRT-7 PMO said flooding in Metro Manila is a longstanding and complex issue, often rooted in poor waste disposal and inadequate maintenance of drainage systems.
The office said it is important to approach the matter with a common understanding and a focus on long-term solutions.
Through its parent company San Miguel Corporation’s Better Rivers PH program, MRT-7 said it is contributing to efforts to reduce flooding by cleaning up heavily silted and polluted waterways.
It said that to date, more than 8.5 million metric tons of waste have been removed from rivers across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
MRT-7 PMO affirmed its support for the MMDA DPWH, and local governments in initiatives that promote sustainable drainage solutions, improved waste management and flood resilience.
