MMDA to intensify efforts vs flooding in NCR

The leadership of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) vowed for further steps toward making the National Capital Region more resilient to flooding.

During the 8th Implementation Support Mission’s (ISM) wrap-up meeting, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes expressed the organization's commitment to further intensify its anti-flooding efforts, noting that the effects of climate change “are getting worse.”

“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,” the re-installed MMDA chair said.

The MMDA said that the latest meetings and site inspections with the Department of Public Works and Highways, World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) were made to assess the status of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP).

 The program was reviewed, which covered a detailed review of the overall project progress, proposed implementation plans for the remaining phases of the project, and the possibility for loan restructuring.

Further, the MMDA said that it also inspected the Solid Waste Granulator (SWG) and Brick Making Facility at the Vitas Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila together with the representatives from the DPWH and the World Bank. The facilities convert solid waste to by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials.

In a statement, the MMDA noted that the funding agencies for MMFMP recognized the progress made on the activities initiated by the agency:

 - Increased diversion rate of the SWG to eight from five percent compared to the midterm review conducted last March

• Wider reach of the mobile materials recovery facility from 10 to 42 barangays that yielded 97,000 kilograms (kg) of waste from last March's 8,000 kg.
• Distribution of composting facilities to 32 barangays from three barangays last March 

The MMDA likewise completed the 25-year Solid Waste Management master plan meant to cut down the vulnerability to and resilience against floods of Metro Manila.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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