The construction of Estero de Abad Drainage System/Outfall Extension at the Manila Bay is being rushed in a bid to help eliminate flooding in Metro Manila, Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) Director Nomer Abel P. Canlas said on Sunday, Sept. 18.
Based on the project, Canlas said two 1000 millimeter (mm) diameter structured wall pipe-high density polyethylene pipe at the two outfalls will be utilized to discharge floodwater from Manila to Manila Bay. The pipes are located 350 meters away from the sea wall.
He added that two submersible axial and mixed flow sewage pumps will be installed at each outfall to aid with the water discharge to Manila Bay.
Canlas noted that the flood control project is part of the rehabilitation program of the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) that includes addressing pollution at the Manila Bay.
As of Aug. 31, 2022, Canlas said the project is 88.21 percent complete.
Canlas pointed out ‘’that he shares the vision of creating a safer and greener NCR together with the DENR, underscoring that the completion of this project will provide valuable aid in keeping the residents of the city of Manila safe during weather disturbances, as well as the cleanup, rehabilitation, and preservation of the coastal and Marine ecosystem of the Manila Bay.’’
DPWH-NCR Clean and Green project
Canlas said that since assuming his post in Dec. 2021, a total of 50,000 caballero trees were planted in Metro Manila as part of the ‘clean and green’ program of the DPWH-NCR office.
The DPWH-NCR chief said that instead of giving ‘ayuda (cash aid)’, the department hired people with work in the ‘Clean and Green’ project at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic where trees were planted and plant boxes were made with no names but only DPWH logos printed on them.
This scheme provided the workers to earn a living while helping the government implement this project.
Canlas noted that the program is not merely a project of just planting trees at the center islands and getting photo opportunities, saying that regular maintenance work is part of the ‘Clean and Green’ process.
The maintenance work includes trimming and watering of the plants and repair of the plant boxes as the need arises.
Canlas admitted having suggested the planting of caballero trees as their ‘adult size’ of eight to 10 feet will not distract the motorists and the plant boxes will deter informal settlers and vendors in using the center islands for undesirable purposes.
The plant boxes contain the soil where the caballero trees get their nutrients, maintain the soil moisture when it rains, protects the trees from vandals and serves as a safety measure to avoid people from getting tripped by the tree roots and lead them to using the pedestrian lanes when crossing the street as the center islands are now blocked.
Citing more benefits, Canlas noted that fully-grown caballero trees convert the exhausts from the vehicles to oxygen and they start to bear pink, yellow and orange flowers at the height of one foot aside from providing homes for birds and insects.
Canlas also urged the public to plant trees, maintain clean surroundings, instill discipline, maintain housekeeping practices citing and treat the environment as our homes. (Chito A. Chavez)