Jamaine Punzalan

Students navigate a flooded section of Taft Avenue in Manila on Friday, August 22, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

MANILA FLOODING

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178547035233220250822-td-isang-flooding-manila-students-JC0377.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Students navigate a flooded section of Taft Avenue in Manila on Friday, August 22, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday it expected persistent flooding along Taft Avenue in Manila to be resolved in 6 to 7 months once the drainage expansion project in the area begins in 2027.DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the drainage system along the busy thoroughfare had remained unchanged for decades and needed to be rehabilitated.“Tingin ko mga 1950s, 1960s pa ito e so talagang hindi pa napapalitan ito,” he said. DPWH workers found that accumulated silt and mud had blocked nearly half of the drainage system’s capacity, reducing its ability to carry floodwater.Dizon said that while declogging was ongoing, a long-term solution would be to widen the drainage network.“Ang talagang solusyon dito, kung ano yung ginawa natin sa Santa Isabel na pinalaki natin yung mga drainage. Yun din ang gagawin natin dito,&quot; Dizon said. The DPWH is asking for some P1.5 billion under the proposed 2027 national budget to fund the project.“Humingi tayo ng pondo under the 2027 budget. Buong Taft Avenue, both sides, yung natitira, mga nasa P1.5 billion ang hiningi natin dito. Mula Pasay hanggang Ayala, both sides na,&quot; the secretary added. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/drainage-upgrade-on-flood-prone-espa-a-boulevard-to-start-in-september-1311">Drainage upgrade on flood-prone España Boulevard to start in September </a></div>Dizon inspected declogging works on Friday morning and appealed to the public for patience.&quot;Wala tayong magagawa e, papaspasan na lang natin pero mabilis namang gawin yun,&quot; Dizon said. He also noted that declogging should be done more frequently to ensure the roadway remains flood-free.“Ang declogging, dapat, at least, dapat yan every three months ginagawa. Ang problema, hindi ginagawa dati nang regular. Siguro once a year o baka less pa,&quot; Dizon said. “Ngayon, every three months babalik-balikan na ’to lahat kasi grabe yung bara e,&quot; he added. To support the expanded maintenance program, Dizon said the hiring moratorium for the National Capital Region had been lifted to allow the agency to hire additional personnel.“Meron kasing current moratorium sa hiring pero sa NCR, pinalift ko na yun. Pwede na mag-hire sila ng dagdag para magdagdag tayo ng tao kasi hindi lang naman sa Taft Avenue, hindi lang naman sa España, all over kailangan tuloy-tuloy yung declogging natin,&quot; he said.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/dizon-cites-reforms-a-year-after-marcos-flood-control-expose-1032">What changed a year after Marcos flood control &#x27;exposé&#x27;? Dizon cites reforms </a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/doj-says-more-flood-control-funds-to-be-recovered-1605">DOJ says more flood control funds to be recovered </a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/29/dizon-finds-deficiencies-that-led-to-davao-flooding-1638">Dizon finds deficiencies that contributed to Davao flooding </a> </div>

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday it expected persistent flooding along Taft Avenue in Manila to be resolved in 6 to 7 months once the drainage expansion project in the area begins in 2027.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday it expected persistent flooding along Taft Avenue in Manila to be resolved in 6 to 7 months once the drainage expansion project in the area begins in 2027.

DPWH eyes flood-free Taft Avenue by 2027

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DPWH eyes flood-free Taft Avenue by 2027

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 31, 2026 12:06 PM PHT

Read More:

flooding

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