Maysilo flood project nearly done – DPWH chief

MANILA, Philippines – With less than a week before the Sept. 30 deadline, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday said there are only a few kinks that need to be ironed out before the Maysilo Circle flood control project in Mandaluyong City is finally complete.

“We are almost complete there are just a few things to be done. The civil works is already finished. We are just testing the electronics (related to the pump),” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.

He added that they have yet to make sure that the two water pumps that would be installed would work, “so we will just wait.”

Even before Villar officially assumed the post as DPWH secretary, the contractor of the flood control project promised that its officials would swim in the floodwaters in Maysilo Circle if it is not able to complete the project by the end of September.

L.R. Tiqui Builders is the contractor of the P609-million drainage project. The firm started working on the project in 2014.

When asked if the contractor would complete the project on or before the Sept. 30 deadline, Villar said, “konting-konti na lang (just a little more).”

Residents living near the Maysilo Circle, where the Mandaluyong city hall is located, and passersby have long been complaining about the flooding that occurs when it rains.

There are many waterways leading to the Maysilo Circle, such as the Pasig River, Maysilo Creek and the San Juan River, adding to the volume of floodwaters at the low-lying Maysilo Circle.

It was earlier said that the DPWH project was designed as a retarding pond to store floodwater. Once the flood on the streets subside, the water stored in the pond would be pumped out.