The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority plans to construct a rainwater impound facility inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for flood-resilient Metro Manila.
This initiative aims to enhance disaster preparedness and water management systems. By harnessing rainwater, the facility will help mitigate flooding during heavy rainfall.
On Friday, MMDA Chairman Don Artes and officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) inspected the area where the facility is planned to be built.
According to Artes, soil testing is required to formulate an engineering design for the facility to be built.
“The facility to be built inside the camp aims to address flooding in Metro Manila, particularly in the EDSA and Boni Serrano Avenue areas,” he said.
Present during the inspection were DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Environment Science Carlos Primo David, AFP General Headquarters Service Command chief Brig. Gen. Arman Arevalo, and other MMDA officials.
AFP officials thanked the MMDA, saying they believe that the rainwater impound facility will greatly help prevent flooding not only within their camp but also on other major roads nearby.
Chairman Artes said his agency is continuing its efforts to address flooding concerns in the metropolis, including dredging, desilting, and clearing of waterways.
He added that the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to support the agency in implementing solid waste management initiatives as part of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project.
The project aims to reduce flood-related incidents in the NCR by modernizing pumping stations and enhancing support infrastructure along waterways. The solid waste management component includes community-based activities such as improving waste collection services and raising public awareness.
