DPWH chief opens Maysilo drain project

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar formally opened the newly completed Mandaluyong Main Drainage Project at the Maysilo Circle on Friday.

“We gave an ultimatum to the contractor – finish this on Sept. 30 or swim in the Pasig River. Glad to report – the project is now completed. No one is swimming, at least today,” he said.

The contractor, L.R. Tiqui buildings, completed the P609.12-million project two days ahead of the deadline.

Former mayor Benhur Abalos earlier said the contractor started work on the project in 2014 and promised to finish the project last May but failed to meet its self-imposed deadline.

The project is meant to divert floodwaters from the low-lying Maysilo Circle to the Pasig River.

Villar said the project is expected to protect 182 hectares, which is composed of 10 barangays and four major roads – Boni Avenue East, Boni Avenue West, San Francisco street and Martinez Road. 

He said the DPWH used various initiatives to fasttrack the implementation of projects, such as the 24/7 work scheme, the 24/7 secretary’s hotline and the unannounced spot check of projects. 

The project “is expected to decrease inundation depth from chest deep to just about six inches of flooding, if any. It is also expected to decrease duration of flooding to only about 30 minutes,” Villar said.

The final segment of the project involved the construction of a 652-linear meter double barrel box culvert along San Francisco street and the installation of four pumps, each with a discharge capacity of 1.5 cubic meters per second.

The completed drainage system is designed to mitigate the occurrence of flash flooding in Maysilo Circle and its immediate vicinity.