DPWH eyes cross drainage flood control project in España by September 2026

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday said the government is targeting to begin by September 2026 a cross-drainage project along España Boulevard in a bid to mitigate the recurring flooding problem in the area.

In a Palace briefing, Dizon explained that the project seeks to channel floodwater from España Boulevard to the Pasig River.

“Meron tayong sisimulan sa España this year, ngayong September, na cross drainage,” Dizon told Malacañang reporters.

(We will begin a cross drainage project in España this year, this September.)

“Ang problema kasi sa España, walang pinupuntahan ang tubig eh. Kapag napuno na ang mga lumang drainage maliliit pa, aapaw na. So kailangan ‘yung tubig dadalhin natin. Meron tayong gagawin na apat na cross drainages na didiretso, tatapon sa mga estero natin papuntang Pasig River sa Maynila,” he added.

(The problem in España is that the water has nowhere to go. Once the old and small drainage systems fill up, the water overflows. So, we need to divert the water. We will oversee four cross-drainage projects that will directly channel water to our estuaries heading to the Pasig River in Manila.)

This came after the heavy rains on Monday caused flooding along España Boulevard, and even inside the University of Santo Tomas (UST) campus.

According to Dizon, declogging of drainages in España Boulevard is continuing but he noted that the drainages there are already outdated.

“Ang problema sa España talaga, unang-una, ang mga drainage lumang luma na talaga ‘yan. Never pang napalitan ‘yan since, I don’t know, the last 50 years siguro. So kailangan nating palakihin,” he said.

(The real problem with España is that the drainage system is already old. It hasn't been replaced, I don't know, maybe in the last 50 years. So, we need to make these bigger.)

He said the drainage improvement projects in Metro Manila will be funded under the proposed 2027 national budget. —AOL, GMA News