Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officials met with representatives from the World Bank over the weekend and discussed the status of the agency’s program to mitigate flood in the metropolis.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes accompanied the World Bank team headed by Lead Irrigation Engineer Joop Stoutjesdijk in inspecting The Vitas Pumping Station in Manila.
Artes presented to officials of the international financial institution the operational process of the Solid Waste Granulator and Brick Making Facility, a technology that converts solid waste to reusable by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials.
The World Bank officials also witnessed the Market and Collection Day for the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility activity dubbed as “Recyclable Mo, Palit Grocery Ko” in Barangay Sto. Rosario Kanluran in Pateros.
The activity showcased how residents can trade their recyclables for commodities. Residents gain points upon surrender of recyclable materials, which they can use to redeem grocery items. All participating residents are then provided an Ecosavers Passbook, where all points earned and redeemed are recorded.
Artes assured that the phase 1 of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase that aims to reduce flood vulnerability of Metro Manila is on the right track.
“Amid the continuous increase of waste generated in the metropolis, the MMDA shall continue pursuing initiatives and technologies that improve solid waste management in the metropolis. We are committed to working together with the concerned agencies to achieve a Metro Manila that is more resilient to floods,” he said.
The Project is a joint venture of the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the financial grant of the World Bank Group—International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
MMDA is in-charge of the implementation of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project’s Component 4, Project Management, Support and Coordination, and Component 2 or Minimizing Solid Waste in Waterways, which aims to improve solid waste management in barangays surrounding the pumping stations that will ultimately help maintain the efficiency of pumping stations.