UMVA has learned that a major flood control project in Metro Manila, backed by a significant international investment, is facing substantial delays at several critical sites, jeopardizing its timely completion.
The project, aimed at reducing flood risks in key areas of the capital region, has made steady progress in most pumping station rehabilitation works, but a number of locations are lagging behind schedule due to a complex web of administrative, resettlement, and technical challenges.
Despite the setbacks, the project's proponents remain optimistic, with a clear plan in place to get the initiative back on track. The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority have been urged to closely monitor implementation and strictly follow the agreed action plan to address bottlenecks.
The project, approved in 2017, seeks to provide improved flood protection to about 1.06 million people by the end of implementation through the rehabilitation and modernization of pumping stations and related infrastructure. However, as of May 18, only 766,228 residents had benefited from the project, equivalent to around 72.5% of the end-target.
A concerning gap in progress is evident in the rehabilitation of pumping stations, with only 19 stations rehabilitated as of May 18, compared with the target of 34 stations by project completion. Furthermore, none of the four planned new pumping stations had been completed as of the same date, raising questions about the project's overall timeline.
The project's financial utilization remains incomplete, with loan disbursements reaching $232.72 million, or about 63% of the total $369.88-million funding allocation. The project's scheduled closing date is November 30, leaving a narrow window to rectify the delays and achieve the project's ambitious objectives.
