MMDA hopes to build rainwater catch basins this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) hopes to start building one of several rainwater catch basins in Manila and Quezon City this year, as part of efforts to mitigate flooding in the metropolis.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and Manila’s Rizal Park, Liwasang Bonifacio, Remedios Circle, Rajah Sulayman Park and University of Santo Tomas (UST) complex were identified as potential venues for the rainwater impounding facilities.

The RIF at Camp Aguinaldo would be built underneath the camp’s golf course, Artes said in an interview over dzBB yesterday.

The site will have an area of 4,500 square meters and a depth of nine meters, which can hold up to 46,000 cubic meters of rainwater.

The MMDA said a similar RIF is proposed to be built in the UST football field, located along España Boulevard, which is noted for flooding on rainy days.

The proposal was presented before Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and UST Facilities Management Office director Fr. Dexter Austria.

Artes said the proposed RIF in UST could contain a parking area for 400 vehicles.

According to Artes, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has expressed support for the RIF.