MMDA, Manila open floodgate near Manila Yacht Club

On Wednesday, July 16, MMDA Chair Don Artes and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno opened a floodgate near the Manila Yacht Club to allow floodwater to flow into Manila Bay in preparation for continuous rainfall expected during the rainy season.

The move aims to reduce stagnant water and minimize flooding damage in areas like Kalaw Avenue, Padre Faura Street, Taft Avenue, and southern parts of Manila by addressing the issue of blocked water channels that have caused water accumulation at the sewerage treatment plant (STP).

Mayor Moreno highlighted that opening the Roxas Boulevard floodgate is a temporary solution during the rainy season, with plans to close it again in the dry season to comply with environmental mandates.

The initiative includes installing a trash trap and conducting regular cleanups to prevent garbage from clogging drainage systems, as Metro Manila produces 45,000 cubic meters of waste per day, much of which ends up in waterways, worsening flooding issues.

According to a report by Dano Tingcungco on GTV's Balitanghali, more sewage treatment plants are needed to prevent flooding in Manila, and for the meantime, the floodgate will be opened on rainy days to avoid flooding.