The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) last week cleared illegal structures along a major waterway in Manila, making space for the flood control personnel to dredge the waterway.
According to the Philippine News Agency, Personnel of the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO) demolished a portion of a residence and concrete pavement of the Estero de Maypajo along R. Papa and J.P. Rizal in Manila.
“ We have to demolish the structures so we can gain access to Estero de Maypajo and do our dredging works ,” MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said in a statement.
The demolition of structures was in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and barangay officials in Manila. Lim said that barangay officials must ensure that no illegal structure would be erected on the waterway again.
The estero has been found to be covered with paved concrete and is being used as parking slots by residents in the area, according to Baltazar Melgar, head of the MMDA FCSMO.
“ We hope to speed up the flow of flood water going to Estero de Sunog Apog and ultimately into the Manila Bay,” Melgar said.
Once structures are demolished, the flood control personnel will focus on dredging operations on the waterway, which has been clogged with garbage, silt and debris.