(UPDATE) THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is advancing the Metro Manila Sponge City Project to improve flood management in parts of the capital region through nature-based solutions and integrated sponge city systems.
The agency announced on Friday evening that MMDA Chairman Don Artes and Finance Secretary Frederick Go led discussions on next steps and preparations before the project implementation, with support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
In the past few days, the AIIB and the MMDA conducted discussions, site visits and courtesy calls with partner local governments to gather insights into flooding and possible solutions under the sponge city approach.
The sponge city concept integrates distributed green-blue systems with existing drainage infrastructure to help absorb, store and control rainwater from heavy rainfall.
Artes described the concept as a “new approach” to flood management that allows rainwater to be managed more naturally through landscape-based interventions while easing pressure on conventional drainage systems.
The initiative is anchored on building resilient, integrated infrastructure systems aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.
Officials said the project is expected to run for about five years and is targeted to begin next year.
The program will include several components, such as water-retention interventions and the development of green public spaces, designed to help manage stormwater.
As part of these efforts, the MMDA is developing a linear park along the San Juan River easement, wherein nature-based flood management solutions will be incorporated.
The agency is also coordinating with various sectors to identify locations for rainwater-impounding facilities for excess rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall.
