Blumentritt pumping station to combat flooding in Manila, QC by Q2 2019 — DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday said it hopes to complete a drainage system that would address flooding concerns in Manila and Quezon City by the second quarter of 2019.

In an interview on GMA News' "News to Go," Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the department has already begun constructing a pumping station on Blumentritt Road.

"'Yung Blumentritt, actually 'yung Blumentritt, malaking solusyon 'yan para sa flooding problem natin, pero ang tinatrabaho namin ngayon sa Blumentritt is 'yung pumping station sa dulo," he said.

"Ang target natin is by the second quarter of next year matapos na itong pumping station," he added.

Both Manila City and Quezon City were flooded in recent days after the heavy downpour brought about by the storm-enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

"As of now, gravity kasi ang design niya so we decided na hindi effective 'yung gravity. Gagawa nalang kami ng pumping stataion sa dulo. 'Pag natapos na po 'yung pumping station, 'yun malaking bagay 'yun kasi lahat pati [Quezon City], Manila [City], malaki po ang magiging improvement," said Villar. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News