DOTr to increase capacity of creek in Manila to hold floodwater

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will double the capacity of a creek along the Old Antipolo Street amid the construction of the Blumentritt and Solis stations of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

This operation will be done in order to avoid flooding around the NSCR stations in Manila.

In DOTr’s clearing operations together with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon observed how shallow the creek was, limiting its capacity to hold floodwater.

“Engineers from Indonesia and Japan proposed to increase the creek’s capacity to improve the flood control in Blumentritt, Santa Cruz, and Tondo areas,” Moreno said in Filipino.

“We can not neglect flood control, so we are going to double the capacity of the creek,” Dizon added.

Dizon also mentioned that they will double the box culverts under the Old Antipolo Street. Box culverts allow water to flow underneath streets during floods.

READ: Faster travel: Manila to Clark airport in 45 minutes via train by 2032

After a two-year delay due to right-of-way issues, the construction of the NSCR is set to be finished by 2032. In its new plan proposal, houses and other structures will no longer be demolished.

Once in full operation, the NSCR promises a 45-minute travel from Manila to Clark Airport. /apl