By Betheena Kae Unite Perennial flooding in the city of Manila during the rainy season is expected to be reduced as a two-kilometer flood control project around Manila City Hall and Intramuros has recently been completed. Manila City Hall (Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez) The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently announced the completion of the P203.4-million flood control project around the vicinity of Manila City Hall and Intramuros, which is seen to prevent flooding during rainy season. “Floodwaters can now be easily discharged to Manila Bay with the bigger draining capacity of our pipes, plus the two submersible pumps with a capacity of 0.75 cubic meter per second,” DPWH National Capital Region director Melvin Navarro said. The flood-control project, according to Navarro, covers the construction of bigger reinforced concrete box culvert as drainage measuring 60 inches in diameter along the 2.27-kilometer Padre Burgos Avenue. This is linked with the newly improved Luneta Pumping Station, he added. “The completion of this project is in time for the upcoming rainy season. Our goal is to directly catch the floodwaters in the area around Manila City Hall and Intramuros which will be pumped out by the newly constructed pumping station, providing convenience to pedestrians and protection to properties,” Navarro furthered. The drainage was constructed at the stretch of P. Burgos Avenue from Luneta Pumping Station passing Manila City Hall to Anda Street in Intramuros. Meanwhile, five pumping stations have also been under improvement works as part of the multibillion-peso flood control project this year. In March, the Vitas and Balut Pumping Stations in Tondo, Balita; Paco Pumping Station in Paco, Manila; Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City; and Labasan Pumping Stationin, Taguig City, were identified to undergo rehabilitation. These pumping stations are among the 36 old pumping stations up for modernization.