MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to build two large water detention basins around Rizal Park in Manila after securing the right-of-way for the project, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Tuesday.
The underground cisterns, each measuring about 4,000 square meters or roughly the size of six Olympic-sized swimming pools, will temporarily store excess rainwater and help reduce flooding in parts of Manila.
They will be built beneath the parking lot of Harbor View restaurant and below the intersection of Maria Orosa and Roxas Boulevard.
“Malaking bagay ‘to kasi yung tubig mula Taft Avenue, pababa, dadaan ng Kalaw, dadaan ng Burgos, dadaan ng Roxas Boulevard, at baka pati parts of Remedios and Malate— pwede naming i-divert dito sa malalaking detention basins na ito,” said Dizon after meeting with officials of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).
The secretary said the DPWH will submit the projects as additional items in the proposed 2027 national budget.
“Isasubmit na namin ito as an additional item for the 2027 budget kasi ngayon lang tayo nakakuha ng right-of-way and ng no objection,” he said.
He added that the project is also part of the City of Manila's drainage master plan.
The DPWH is also pushing for similar detention basins in flood-prone areas across the country, including Pampanga, Dagupan, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija.
He said such projects can still be implemented even in densely populated areas like Metro Manila, provided suitable areas are available.
“I hope this will be the start na yung lahat ng available na open spaces natin, magagamit din natin for detention basins,” added Dizon.
SOLUTION TO RIZAL PARK FLOODING, WATER SUPPLY WOES
The NPDC, which oversees Rizal Park, also sees potential benefits from the project.
Executive Director Cecile Lorenzana said the park has recently experienced flooding amid heavier rainfall.
“Before hindi naman masyadong nafa-flood yung park pero recently yung rainfall ngayon medyo kakaiba na talaga. Ngayon pumapasok na rin siya sa park and we’ve been looking for a solution,” Lorenzana said.
She said the stored rainwater could also be reused to water plants and trees in the park amid existing water supply challenges.
“Kailangan siya to use also that rainwater to water the plants, etc, or trees sa park para we can make it more sustainable,” Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana added that the park is also facing water supply challenges.
“Yung utilities namin… nahihirapan siya dahil sa init din na na-experience din natin ngayon. Hindi enough talaga yung water that we’re using so makakatulong (ang detention basins),” she added.