New Quezon City park to double as flood retention facility

MANILA, Philippines — Developments within the Quezon Memorial Circle will include a new park, which will also serve as flood retention and detention basins during rainy season.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently disclosed updates on the ongoing development of a new park inside the historical landmark.

Aside from functioning as a green space, the park will also have retention and detention basins that can help minimize flooding in the area.

According to Belmonte, the retention pond will be able to store up to 651 cubic meters of water – equivalent to around 3,255 drums containing 200 liters each – to help alleviate flooding during heavy rainfall.

There is also a separate detention pond with a natural filtration system that can hold up to 282 cubic liters of water, which is equivalent to 1,410 drums.

Belmonte said the detention pond is connected with storage tanks so it can be used to water the landscaped areas at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The city government been investing in detention and retention facilities as part of its drainage masterplan, which was developed by experts from University of the Philippines Resilience Institute.

A detention basin is also being constructed along G. Araneta Avenue, which is often flooded during heavy rainfall.

“These are expected to be operational before the rainy season,” Belmonte said.