THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expanding drainage systems along Roxas Boulevard in Manila to serve not only as stormwater conduits, but also as underground detention basins, Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday.
Dizon said the enlarged drainage system would temporarily store excess rainwater underground while five pumping stations along the Roxas Boulevard corridor draw water away from flood-prone areas.
“This is part of our master plan here in Manila, where we are enlarging our drainage systems along Roxas Boulevard,” Dizon said during a project inspection.
He said some sections of the new drainage system are about 2 meters wide and would extend through a long stretch of Roxas Boulevard, from the Padre Faura area toward Remedios and Kalaw.
Due to limited available space of built-up areas in Metro Manila for large conventional detention basins, Dizon said the expanded drainage system would effectively serve as underground water storage.
“The idea is that from Taft Avenue, our pumping stations will draw the water, but to provide additional detention, we are enlarging these drainage systems. Instead of the water remaining on the road, it will go down here and stay underground,” Dizon explained.
The DPWH chief said the five pumping stations serving Abad, Remedios, Padre Faura, Harbor and Luneta are operational.
The initial drainage expansion along Roxas Boulevard covers about 135 meters and has just started. The section is set for completion by the end of the year, he said.
The project costs about P47 million.
It said it is also enlarging drainage inlets along Roxas Boulevard so water from the road can enter the system faster.
Dizon however warned that even larger drains and inlets would not work effectively if clogged.
He said the DPWH was coordinating with residents and communities to keep the enlarged inlets clear.
The agency is undertaking similar inlet and drainage improvements in other flood-prone areas of Metro Manila, including Estrella, G. Araneta Avenue, España Boulevard, Mother Ignacia Avenue and EDSA.
Dizon said a separate underground detention basin at Rajah Sulayman Park, also in Manila, is expected to be completed by February.
He said such facilities would also help the government prepare for periods of both heavy rainfall and water shortage.
Meanwhile, Dizon defended the DPWH’s request for an additional P11.49 billion in its proposed 2027 budget, saying projects must meet strict documentary and planning requirements before they are funded.
He said proposed projects must have complete program-of-work and planning documents, and must be consistent with local governments’ and river basins’ master plans.
About P6 billion of the additional allocation would go to road improvement projects, particularly local roads, according to the top DPWH official.
