MANILA – According to a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official, the recent flooding along the Manila Baywalk and adjacent areas was not caused by the Dolomite Beach but rather by the construction of a nearby drainage system project.
MMDA Acting General Manager Baltazar Melgar said during an interview during his inspection of the Juan Luna Elementary School in Sampaloc, Manila that the Dolomite Beach “has no connection” to the recent flooding in the area.
“The reason why flood water subsided slowly during heavy rains last Friday was the ongoing construction of three pumping stations and a pipeline by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is expected to be completed by October,” Melgar said.
The three pumping stations were the Padre Faura Drainage, Remedios Drainage, and Estero De San Antonio.
He stated that the pumping stations are part of the “engineering solutions” to further decrease the high coliform level count in the area’s waters and make Manila Bay “swimmable”.
Melgar explained that the slow drainage was the result of drains being diverted to the Pasig River through the Balete Pumping Station instead of discharging directly into Manila Bay pending the completion of three pumping stations.
He said the MMDA is working with the DPWH in operating a mobile pump that would safely discharge water directly to Manila Bay in order to avoid similar flooding incidents in the area.
“These storm waters can be safely discharged directly into the Manila Bay because it can be diluted,” he said.
According to reports, the recent flooding in Manila was caused by the closure of Padre Faura Drainage, Remedios Drainage, and Estero De San Antonio because of the Dolomite Beach.
Once completed, the three main drainage systems will direct sewage water into a treatment plant before releasing it into Manila Bay.
