SMC apologizes for Skyway flooding, says due to construction works outside its control

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Thursday apologized for the heavy flooding reported at a ground-level portion of the Skyway in Parañaque City, citing drainage problems due to construction works beyond its control.

The heavy flooding was recorded at the Skyway At-Grade ground level in Bicutan, following rains that started on Wednesday evening and have continued through Thursday.

SMC said the portion has historically remained flood-free, but that floodwaters have risen and become more evident in the past few months.

“These incidents were primarily due to a drainage system problem outside of the Skyway system, which we traced in February this year, due to ongoing construction works in the area that are unrelated to our operations and outside our direct control,” it said.

The firm said it has since been in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other stakeholders in the area to address the issue, including lending its equipment to drain the floodwater faster.

“One of the stakeholders in the area is also currently working on the portion of the affected drainage system within their property, with the contractor committing to finish the outfall this month,” SMC said.

“We are hopeful that this corrective action will restore the smooth flow of floodwaters to the nearby creak and put an end to the flooding at Skyway At-Grade Bicutan, which has disrupted the traffic flow and greatly inconvenienced out riding public,” it added.

This comes amid rainshowers and flooding across the metro due to a low pressure area (LPA), the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, and localized thunderstorms.

SMC, through its unit SMC Infrastructure, manages and operates the Skyway System. The Skyway Stage 1 consists of a 9.3-kilometer elevated road connecting Bicutan to the Makati Central Business District, while the Skyway Stage 2 is a 6.86-kilometer elevated expressway with six lanes from Bicutan to Sucat, and four lans from Sucat to Alabang.

SMC Infrastructure’s portfolio also includes the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), the Boracay Airport, and the MRT7 rail and road project.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work with all involved stakeholders in the area to resolve the issue in the soonest possible time and ensure efficient and safe traffic flow on the expressway,” SMC said. — BM, GMA Integrated News