Two international funding agencies lauded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other government agencies for the significant progress in the implementation of projects aimed at addressing the perennial flooding problem in the National Capital Region (NCR).
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the recognition was made by the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) after the meetings and site inspections of flood control projects and other related projects.
The WB and the AIIB have been funding various projects under the government's Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP).
Among the projects recognized for significant progress were the wider reach of the mobile materials recovery facility from 10 to 42 barangays in Metro Manila, the distribution of composting facilities to 32 barangays from only three barangays last March, and other ongoing initiatives that include a water hyacinth processing plant in Rizal, start of the pyrolysis equipment installation at the Vitas Pumping Station, the and installation of trash traps in selected waterways.
The water hyacinth processing plant is almost complete and was initiated amid the fast growth of water hyacinth especially along Pasig River which contributes to the flooding in some parts of Metro Manila.
Artes said the two funding agencies also recognized the increased diversion rate of the Solid Waste Granulator (SWG) and Brick Making Facility located at the Vitas Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila.
"These facilities convert solid waste to by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials," said Artes.
The MMDA likewise completed the 25-year Solid Waste Management master plan that aims to reduce the vulnerability to and resilience against floods of Metro Manila.
The 8th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) among officials of the WB, AIIB, MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also focused on the review of the projects' development objective and a detailed review of the overall project progress, proposed implementation plans for the remaining phases of the project, and the possibility for loan restructuring.
"We are further intensifying our efforts and initiatives towards making Metro Manila more resilient to floods, especially since the effects of climate change are getting worse," said Artes.
“As we move forward, the MMDA has high hopes for project extension for us to successfully alleviate flood management issues in Metro Manila through the MMFMP’s structural and non-structural interventions, as well as the active participation and commitment of all stakeholders,” he added.