Blumentritt flood interceptor project to be completed in June –DPWH

The Blumentritt flood interceptor project, which began construction in 2013, is set to be completed in June, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Wednesday.

"Ang target ng regional [office], June 30, but we are targetting na mas matapos namin nang mas maaga kasi nag-start na nga 'yung tag-ulan," Melvin Navarro, DPWH director in the National Capital Region, said in an interview on GMA News' "Balitanghali."

State weather bureau has already announced the onset of the rainy season this year. 

A separate report by Maki Pulido on "News to Go" said Manila residents have become impatient with the project as the rainy season has begun, which usually brings knee-length floods in the area.

Navarro said the delay in the completion of the project was caused by "right-of-way problems."

"Na-settle na 'yung mga right-of-way problems, mga issues... Even doon sa problema namin sa pag-cross sa PNR (Philippine National Railways) na-settle na rin namin. Settled naman na lahat, ongoing lahat ng trabaho," he said.

"Maiksi na lang," Navarro said, noting that only a little part of the 3.2-kilometer project has yet to be completed.

In the same interview, Navarro also expressed hopes that the incoming administration would continue the ongoing flood control projects of the department rather than start from scratch.

"'Yung problema sa flood control ng Metro Manila, marami pa ang dapat gawin. Mayroong pinagawan na study ng DPWH dito, World Bank ang nag-pondo nito, hindi pa namin nagagawa lahat kasi they require also a large amount of investment so unti-unti naman nating nagagawa," he added. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News