The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the City of Manila have formalized a partnership for the construction of three Rainwater Impounding Facilities (RIFs) to help mitigate flooding in the city.
In a social media post on Tuesday, MMDA said the projects will be located at Rajah Sulayman Park, Remedios Circle, and the Vito Cruz ASEAN Garden area within the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, near the Vito Cruz Drainage Main Outfall.
The facilities are expected to have a combined capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 cubic meters and will temporarily store excess stormwater during heavy rainfall, helping ease pressure on existing drainage systems and reduce flood risks in surrounding communities.
The proposed sites were identified following technical studies conducted by Haskoning, which assessed their feasibility as rainwater impounding facilities, particularly in areas prone to recurring flooding.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the MMDA and the Manila city government will work together to implement the flood management projects.
“Our goal is to collaborate with the City of Manila to help relieve flooding in certain areas of Manila. We thank Mayor Isko for the continued support and cooperation of the city government as we work together to implement flood management measures,” MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes said.
The projects are part of efforts to expand green spaces and improve flood management in Manila, particularly in Ermita, Malate, and Paco.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso thanked the Office of the President (OP), through the MMDA, for supporting the projects. He said the city government welcomed the MMDA’s response to its requests, particularly since the agency will provide funding for the projects.
Artes, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the national government and local government units in ensuring the successful implementation of flood management measures.
The three RIF projects are targeted for completion by June 30, 2027.
