THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said flood control measures being implemented by the agency are enough to prevent major flooding in the metropolis even during heavy downpours.
MMDA spokesperson Melissa Carunungan said all the agency’s pumping stations are fully operational to ensure a flood-free metropolis.
“Currently, the MMDA is operating and maintaining 71 pumping stations in Metro Manila. All the pumping stations are operational,” Carunungan said when asked to comment on the call of Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde for the agency to be proactive and ensure that flood control measures are in place to avoid a deluge of catastrophic proportions like when Ondoy submerged many parts of Metro Manila in 2009.
“Further, there is a total of around 1,500 kilometer of waterways that the MMDA cleans all year round,” she added.
Carunungan said the agency is also working to address the perennial problem of flooding in Barangay Tatalon and Araneta Ave. and adjoining areas in Quezon City.
“This will be addressed by the construction of flood walls along (the) San Juan River and construction of pumping stations. These projects will be funded by the World Bank,” Carunungan explained.
Asked if additional pumping stations will be constructed, Carunungan said the construction of additional pumping stations is within the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and then it is turned over to the MMDA for maintenance and operation.
