Metro Manila residents know it too well: the moment dark clouds gather, the fear of flooding begins. Streets turn into rivers, traffic halts, and neighborhoods brace for the worst. But what if the solution has already been proven?
Discover Japan’s Permeable Concrete
A recently circulated video shows a unique Japanese concrete surface engineered with densely arranged, uniform holes. These holes allow rainwater to pass directly through the pavement, letting it infiltrate into the sub-base below rather than pooling on the surface—dramatically reducing urban flooding potential.
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Often attributed to technologies like “Dotcon” permeable concrete, this material is designed to combine rapid drainage, structural durability, and eco?friendly performance. It lets water soak through during heavy rain, reducing surface runoff and helping recharge groundwater systems.
How BGC Stays Flood-Free
Ever wondered why Bonifacio Global City (BGC) remains dry while surrounding areas are knee-deep in water? According to residents and engineers, BGC uses a combination of permeable paving, underground cisterns, and a well-planned drainage system.
One Reddit user even shared that BGC has a multi-layered drainage design that works quietly and efficiently. The result? No floods, even during Typhoon Carina.
Why Regular Concrete Makes Flooding Worse
In most parts of Metro Manila, roads, sidewalks, and buildings are made of non-porous concrete, asphalt, or brick. These materials block water from seeping into the soil. Instead, rainwater collects and races toward already-overwhelmed drains. As Scientific Inquirer points out, these impermeable surfaces are a major reason urban flooding is getting worse.
Scientific studies have shown that cities covered in non-porous materials suffer more frequent and intense flooding during extreme weather. It’s not just the rain—it’s what we build that worsens the impact.
A Concrete Solution?
Imagine if Metro Manila adopted permeable concrete for sidewalks, parking areas, and side roads. If local governments invested in modern drainage designs like BGC’s, we might not need to rely solely on expensive pumping stations or massive flood control projects.
Permeable concrete is not a magic cure—but it’s a proven step toward resilience.
Time to Act
With typhoons intensifying and the climate crisis worsening, we can’t afford to wait for the next big flood to take action. We already have the technology. We’ve seen it work—in BGC, in Japan, and in other flood-prone cities.
We should do something. Now. Before the next storm hits.
