The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have committed to help improve Metro Manila’s flood management system.
The organizations will each contribute more than $200 million— P10.56 billion—for the project, while the government will provide the $415.2 million (P21.13 billion) for the $500-million project.
This is part of the 25-year implementation of the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan.
This segment, expected to be completed in 2024, will include the modernization of 36 existing pumping stations, construction of 20 new ones, and improvement of supporting infrastructure along critical waterways in Manila, Pasay, Taguig, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City and Caloocan.
“When floods occur, the capacity of people to earn a living is constrained, and many can fall back into poverty” according to Mara Warwick, WB country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.
Many of the existing stations were built in the 1970s and have deteriorated over time. The situation is made worse by the clogging of the waterways by solid waste discarded by communities around waterways.
“This project is a great fit for our first investment in the Philippines,” AIIB’s Director General for Investment Operations Supee Teravaninthorn said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority will tap local government units and shelter agencies as they implement the project.
It is high time flood management became a primary concern. Flooding endangers lives and property. It halts productivity, disrupts progress and erases whatever gains the community has created. The project should transcend political turfs, terms or affiliations. After all, flooding knows no territorial boundaries.
The investment should be accompanied by an information and education campaign by the implementors so everybody will realize the stakes are high, and personal.