MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is advancing the Metro Manila Sponge City Project aimed at improving flood management in parts of the capital 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 the next steps and preparations before the project moves toward implementation with support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
In the past few days, the AIIB and the MMDA conducted discussions, site visits and courtesy calls with partner local governments to gather insights on flooding problems and possible solutions under the sponge city approach.
Artes described the sponge city concept as a “new approach” that integrated distributed green-blue systems with conventional drainage infrastructure to help absorb, store and control rainwater brought by heavy rains and typhoons.
The project is expected to run for about five years and is targeted to begin next year.
Officials said the program would include several components such as water retention interventions and the development of green public spaces.
The MMDA is also developing a linear park along the San Juan River easement that will incorporate nature-based solutions.
