The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have given the green light for the construction of a new floodgate and pumping station along the Parañaque River, clearing the way for critical infrastructure to mitigate local flooding.
Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez announced that with official approval secured, municipal authorities will begin planning and preparations for the twin flood-control installations next year.
Because the Parañaque River is classified as a “major waterway,” city officials were required to obtain multi-agency clearances before building any structures that could alter or manage the river’s flow.
Olivarez noted that positioning the floodgate and pumping station near the mouth of the river, situated between Barangays Don Galo and La Huerta, will significantly alleviate water buildup across multiple neighborhoods, particularly during periods of intense rainfall and rising tides.
Despite the major infrastructure push, Olivarez cautioned that engineering projects alone cannot completely eliminate urban flooding without community cooperation.
The mayor emphasized the critical need for proper waste disposal, pointing out that garbage dumped into local channels regularly clogs drainage systems and restricts water movement.
Maintaining clear waterways, Olivarez stressed, remains essential to ensure the new flood-control system operates at full capacity once completed. The city government will continue collaborating with the MMDA and DPWH as technical planning moves forward.