Villar: Completion of Maysilo Circle flood control project eyed in September

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Mark Villar on Friday said the contractor of the flood control project at Maysilo Circle in Mandaluyong City has vowed to finish it by next month.

Villar, who came to see the flooded area on Friday, said he and DPWH undersecretaries have spoken to the contractor, who promised to finish it by end of September at the latest.

"Kausap namin 'yung contractor kanina ... Ang commitment niya is by September—September 30 at the latest—matatapos na 'to. 'Pag hindi siya matapos by September, magsu-swimming siya dito," he said in an interview on Balitanghali.

Villar said that in the meantime, additional pumps will be provided both by the contractor and the DPWH to speed up the receding of flood in the area.

The clean-up of the road there is also ongoing.

Maysilo Circle has seen perennial flooding during rainy season for years, prompting residents to ride either thick styrofoam sheets or the city's boat to be able to get a ride to work.

Maysilo Circle Mandaluyong na lubog muli dahil sa tuloy tuloy na ulan @dzbb pic.twitter.com/PVxwJeR5x2

— manny vargas (@VargasMannysen) July 7, 2016

On Friday, knee-deep flood has prevented most vehicles from passing through the area.

"Sa ngayon po, habang ginagawa po 'yung kalye, the contractor committed to putting additional pumps. Kami rin po, additional pumps, para mapabilis lang 'yung flow ng traffic," Villar said.

He added: "Ang nangyari po kasi, natapos 'yung drainage ng ibang kalye, napabilis ang agos ng tubig dito, then dito naipon... We can expect that at least, with the pumps, mami-minimize 'yung tubig and by September 30, tapos na po 'yung project."

Villar noted that the pumping station for the area, which will direct water to Pasig River during rainy days, may also be "fully operational" in the coming month.

The new DPWH secretary is making his rounds on sites of major flood control projects to be "briefed" about their state.

He told Balitanghali he intends to visit a similar project along Blumentritt in Manila.

"I plan [to visit] mamaya 'yung various projects. I wanna inspect all the projects para makita ko rin 'yung effect habang umuulan," he said. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News