DPWH: Metro Manila flood control master plan still under 30% complete after a decade
By Trixee Rosel
The comprehensive master plan on flood management in Metro Manila remains delayed and as a result, only 30 percent of the project are completed despite over a decade since its approval, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in a television interview that the P351 billion flood management master plan, sanctioned in 2012 during the Aquino administration, is slated for completion by 2035.
Bonoan highlighted the complexity of the master plan, which encompasses various components.
“Based on our assessment, it is below 30 percent completed because there are numerous components to this master plan. For DPWH, this includes improving floodwater flow along the Pasig River, alongside addressing environmental, social, and other associated challenges,” he said.
He added that the full execution of the flood control plan depends on the realization of large-scale infrastructure projects, projecting the final phase to be achieved by 2035.
Bonoan also cited setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, lamenting disruptions in project implementation.
"We encountered difficulties in executing several projects, particularly during 2020, 2021, and 2022 due to the pandemic-related constraints on material supply," he said.
"Despite these challenges, we have been steadfast in continuing these critical projects under the current administration," he added.