MMDA to widen drainage inlets along Commonwealth to address floods

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it aims to widen the drainage inlets in Commonwealth Avenue to address flooding after an inspection near MRT-7 Batasan Hills Station in Quezon City on Wednesday.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the agency wants to address the perennial flooding in the area.

Artes said the agency initially discovered the smaller drainage inlets as one of the causes of flooding along Commonwealth.

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“Nandito tayo hindi para magsisihan kundi maghanap ng solusyon dito sa pagbaha dito sa Commonwealth…Nakita natin yun dati daw na malaki na inlet ng tubig ay lumiit na. Dati daw ay 3X3 yan, 3-meter by 3-meter, naging halos 2 feet by 2 feet na lang,” said Artes.

According to Artes, MMDA will start the reconstruction of drainage inlets tomorrow, July 24.

MMDA added it is in constant coordination with the MRT-7 management to find solutions to the problem.  

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“Yung drainage naman ay sufficient. Although sa kabila, mayroon po kasing outlet doon na naharangan ng isang poste na kailangan sigurong gawan ng paraan para ma-bypass yung poste at makalabas yung tubig,” Artes added.

“Ang sinasabi naman ng may-ari ng MRT-7, whether or not sila ang nakabara, nakaapekto yung construction, tutulong sila sa pagsasaayos para mawala yung baha dito sa Commonwealth,” Artes emphasized.

In a statement, MRT-7 Project Management Office (MRT-7 PMO) clarified that its facilities near Batasan Station are not the cause of the flooding in the area.

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