THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the City of Manila have officially joined forces through a Memorandum of Agreement to construct three Rainwater Impounding Facilities (RIFs).
The initiative aims to tackle recurring flooding in flood-prone districts across the capital.
Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track flood management projects ahead of the upcoming rainy season, the three RIF developments are slated for completion by June 30, 2027.
Based on technical feasibility studies conducted by Haskoning, the facilities will rise at Rajah Sulayman Park, Remedios Circle, and the ASEAN Garden within the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex near the Vito Cruz Drainage Main Outfall.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes expressed gratitude to Manila Mayor Isko Domagoso for the local government’s robust support.
“Our goal is to collaborate with the City of Manila to help relieve flooding in certain areas,” Artes stated, emphasizing the importance of unified infrastructure action.
Designed to temporarily store excess stormwater during heavy downpours, the systems will alleviate pressure on existing drainage networks and mitigate flood risks.
The Rajah Sulayman Park site will feature subsurface stormwater storage, while the Remedios Circle project merges rainwater retention with drainage enhancements and nature-based interventions.
The ASEAN Garden facility will capture runoff from the Vito Cruz catchment along P. Ocampo Street and may integrate a wastewater treatment plant to help clean Manila Bay.
Mayor Domagoso welcomed the joint venture, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the MMDA’s proactive infrastructure interventions.
Furthermore, collected stormwater may connect to water concessionaires for reuse, supporting broader resource conservation.
Through this landmark partnership, both agencies reaffirmed their dedication to protecting residents, motorists, and commercial establishments from perennial flood hazards.