Manila Mayor presents P140B flood control plan to PBBM

Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso presented a P140-billion flood control master plan to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to address flooding issues in the capital.

The long-term plan, which aims to create a city resilient to constant flooding for future generations, offers a two-pronged approach: upgrades to the drainage catchment and the construction of new tunnel systems.

Drainage upgrades include widening pipes, building new culverts, rehabilitating manholes, and adding 15 more pumping stations to the existing 24.

New tunnel systems will involve detention tanks and deep tunnels, with large segments constructed using tunnel boring machines and microtunneling in dense areas to limit surface disruption.

The plan prioritizes areas with frequent and severe flooding, as well as locations near critical facilities like hospitals, schools, and transport hubs.

In the short term, the city will focus on repairing and re-energizing existing drainage facilities, cleaning drains, and fixing choke points.

President Marcos Jr. directed Mayor Domagoso to coordinate the drainage plan with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Mayor Domagoso assured President Marcos Jr. of the Manila City government's readiness to collaborate with the national administration for sustainable development and the welfare of the citizens.