Joselito Malig

DPWH to finish drainage expansion in flood-prone Araneta Avenue by February 2026

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday vowed to finish by February 2026 the expansion of the drainage pipes along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, which experiences frequent flooding.DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the project Friday and instructed officials from the Quezon City 2nd District Engineering Office to speed up construction before the next rainy season comes.“Isa ito sa pinakagrabe ang baha sa Metro Manila. Kausap natin yung mga kababayan natin kanina, sila mismo (nagsasabing) lampas tao ang baha rito… Nung nakaraan meron pang bus na lumutang,” said Dizon as he stressed the urgency of the project.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/flood-control-saga-nearing-endgame-pco-says-1220">Flood control saga &#x27;nearing endgame,&#x27; PCO says</a></div>The DPWH said one major problem is that the existing drainage canals are only 36 inches wide.To address this, they’re installing two new canals, each 1.5 meters wide, to boost capacity and improve water flow toward the San Juan River.Dredging and desilting operations on the San Juan River are also underway, as part of the Marcos administration’s Oplan Kontra Baha in partnership with the private sector.“Kung yung San Juan river, mapuno, walang mangyayari. Babalik lang yung tubig ulit dito. So kailangan palalimin natin,” he added.Another vital component, according to Dizon, is the construction of a pumping station that will further speed up the flow of water to the river.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/qc-lgu-said-dpwh-ncr-s-p300m-water-pumping-station-may-worsen-floods-2132">QC LGU said DPWH-NCR’s P300M water pumping station may worsen floods</a></div>But he said the DPWH will still have to scrounge up funds for it.“Ang problema, yung pumping station kasama yun doon sa mga tinanggal nating budget for 2026 sa DPWH. Pero kausap ko sila RD (Regional Director), DE (District Engineer), hopefully makahanap tayo ng pondo for 2025 na savings. Baka magawa na rin natin for 2026.”Motorists and nearby communities meanwhile expressed their frustration over the flooding situation, saying they will only believe government promises to fix it once it’s done.Apart from delivering on the work, Dizon, in turn, also sought the public’s help in practicing proper waste disposal so as not to clog the sewers.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday vowed to finish by February 2026 the expansion of the drainage pipes along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, which experiences frequent flooding.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday vowed to finish by February 2026 the expansion of the drainage pipes along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, which experiences frequent flooding.