Pasig City is advancing toward a permanent solution for persistent flooding in low-lying areas with its Flood Control and Drainage Masterplan now roughly 80 percent finished. The initiative seeks to replace stopgap measures with a comprehensive, well-coordinated system that addresses flooding at its source.
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Immediate Relief Measures Underway
Mayor Vico Sotto emphasized that the masterplan is designed to integrate future drainage and road projects into a unified, well-planned system. “Connected, well-planned, and targeted at the root of the problem,” he said, highlighting the city’s shift from piecemeal interventions to a more strategic flood management framework.
The city has completed nearly one kilometer of new roads with integrated drainage systems in Acacia and Jabson, totaling around P14 million in investment. Sotto noted these improvements will provide immediate relief to residents in flood-prone areas.
Despite these efforts, certain streets such as Urbano Velasco Avenue and its adjoining roads, including Esguerra and Caliwag, still experience knee-deep to gutter-deep flooding during heavy rainfall. “The main cause is that when the river level rises, the creek’s level also goes up, and it is now higher than the roads. So even if drainage systems are working, the water has nowhere to go,” Sotto explained.
Strategic Measures for Lasting Impact
The mayor identified San Agustin Creek as a critical point where water often overflows, affecting nearby roads. To address this, the city government, in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is finalizing pumping stations in Acacia.
Sotto stressed that dredging both the creek and the Marikina River remains essential for a long-term solution, allowing floodwaters to flow more freely and preventing recurrent backups. Once fully implemented, the City Flood Control and Drainage Masterplan will unify all drainage, pumping, and river improvement projects into a single, cohesive system.
“This approach ensures that existing initiatives are connected with new projects, addressing flooding at its source rather than relying on temporary or isolated interventions,” Sotto added, underscoring the city’s commitment to building a resilient and sustainable flood management framework.
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