From gutter to knee-deep floods are expected to occur in Metro Manila during the rainy season as a result of the unfinished flood interceptor in Blumentritt, Manila, one of the government’s major flood control projects which is supposed to mitigate floodings in the National Capital Region.
The P560-million Blumentritt flood interceptor project, which began construction in 2013, was to be completed in June, according to Department of Public Works and Highways-NCR director Melvin Navarro.
The flood interceptor project was designed to direct floodwaters from the northern part of Metro Manila to the Tondo area and then out to Manila Bay.
The DPWH declared last month that the flood control project was 90 percent complete, but encountered delays due to right-of-way issues.
The five-phase project, which started in July 2013 has been delayed by ROWs, changes in the design due to the presence of underground facilities belonging to utility firms like Maynilad Water Services and inclement weather conditions, among others, the DPWH said.
The DPWH’s water catchment facility is 3.3 kilometers long, 6 meters wide and 3 meters deep.
In an interview, Navarro said the DPWH has already settled the right-of-way problems along the Philippine National Railways crossing in Blumentritt, and construction is now ongoing.
“We expect to complete the project before the end of June,” he said, adding that they are rushing for the completion of unfinished portion as the rainy season has officially started.
Phase 1 of the project, which covers the construction of a 440-meter box culvert from Laong Laan Street to the area between Dapitan and Piy Margal Streets, is 100 percent complete.
The 440-meter long Blumentritt Avenue-Calamba Street to Laong Laan areas, is 90 percent complete.