Palace: At least 30 underground water catchment sites identified for flood control
MANILA, Philippines – At least 30 sites for underground flood catchments have been identified, with excavation work expected to begin soon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said following a situation briefing on Wednesday, August 19, on the impact of continuous rain.
Some of these sites in Metro Manila – Rajah Sulayman Park, Rizal Memorial Stadium, Camp Aguinaldo, and University of Sto. Tomas – were identified with the help of Dutch experts, according to Marcos.
“Kaya’t mayroon na tayong tatlumpu na sites na puwede nating gamitin para dito sa mga cisterns at inaantay na lang natin ‘yung detailed engineering,” said Marcos. (We already have 30 sites where we can install cisterns, and we’re only waiting for the detailed engineering plans.)
He said the water catchment projects would be “prioritized” and excavation works would start as soon as possible.
“We are already at present time conferring and speaking to whoever are in charge of these areas so they will allow excavation works,” said Marcos in a mix of Filipino and English.
Here is Malacañang’s list of areas where water catchment structures are proposed to be set up:
Other flood-control measures the Marcos Jr. administration plans to carry out include upgrading seawalls and establishing systems for the household and industrial use of collected rainwater.
Marcos held a situation briefing with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday, along with some Cabinet officials, regarding the combined effects of the habagat and tropical cyclones Kuis, Maymay, and Neneng.
At least 27 people have died and 17 individuals were hurt as of Wednesday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Agricultural production value loss amounted to P1.42 billion, affecting more than 40,000 farmers and fisherfolk.
Continuous rain in Metro Manila had caused floods and disruptions to work and classes. – Rappler.com
