MMDA pushes for flood control thru solid waste management

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement solid waste management activities as part of a flood control project in Metro Manila, with the recent approval of a loan by the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
 (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement solid waste management activities as part of a flood control project in Metro Manila, with the recent approval of a loan by the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The USD500-million Metro Manila Flood Management Project, which will be implemented by the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is expected to reduce flood-related incidents in the metropolis.

Under the project, 36 existing pumping stations will be modernized while 20 new ones will be built.

Support infrastructure along critical waterways will also be improved in the cities of Manila, Pasay, Taguig, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City, and Caloocan.

The community-based solid waste management activities include the improvement of solid waste collection services, community mobilization and awareness campaigns, incentive-based waste collection and purchase of waste collection equipment within the vicinity of pumping stations, waterways and drainage channels.

“Said component is expected to support other existing MMDA flood control and clean-up operations such as the ‘Estero Blitz’, dredging of open waterways, de-clogging of drainage laterals, and de-silting of drainage mains and interceptors,” the agency said in a statement.

For its part, the DPWH will be in charge of modernizing the 36 pumping stations operated by the MMDA and constructing new ones.

Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) will be responsible for the resettlement of informal settler families.

The WB has approved its counterpart funding worth USD207.6 million for the flood control project last September 28.

The China-led AIIB has likewise approved similar funding of USD207.6 million while the Philippine government will shoulder the balance of USD84.8 million.

The project, which will be implemented from 2018 to 2023, is expected to benefit 760,000 households living within the affected drainage areas in Metro Manila.