Places to avoid: Flood-prone areas in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Want to know how to avoid being stuck in traffic deadlock for hours on end especially this rainy season? Better heed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s advice.

In a statement released Monday, July 7, the MMDA listed down 77 ongoing road work projects and 22 flood-prone areas in Metro Manila, just as the Philippine rainy season began to make its presence felt.

According to MMDA Assistant General for Operations Emerson Carlos, 49 of the 77 road work projects being done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are road diggings and drainage jobs.

Carlos admitted the projects are the bane of motorists’ existence but said these were necessary steps to prevent future problems. “While we’ve been experiencing flood-induced traffic delays mainly because of these public works projects, when these are all finished, it is expected that this will bring big relief to the general public,” he said.

The MMDA also pinpointed 22 flood-prone areas in the metro and cautioned against passing through these areas, especially during rush hour and heavy rains.

1. España-Antipolo-Maceda in Manila
2. P. Burgos-Manila City Hall vicinity
3. Osmeña-Skyway northbound and southbound, Makati
4. EDSA-North Avenue, Quezon City
5. Don Bosco, Makati
6. Buendia-South Superhighway southbound
7. Buendia-South Superhighway northbound
8. C-5-Bagong Ilog
9. West Service Road, Merville, Paranaque
10. East Service Road, Sales Street
11. North Avenue in front of Trinoma
12. Buendia extension Macapagal avenue – World Trade
13. EDSA – Camp Aguinaldo Gate 3
14. NLEX Balintawak – Cloverleaf
15. EDSA Megamall
16. EDSA Pasong Tamo Magallanes Tunnel 
17. Quezon Avenue, Victory avenue/Biak na Bato 
18. C-5-BCDA, Taguig City 
19. R. Papa-Rizal Avenue, Manila 
20. C-5 Mckinley Road 
21. C-5 Bayani Road 
22. Philcoa Area, Quezon City

MMDA flood control crew are on standby to help ease any burgeoning flooding problem. They are equipped with mobile pumps and other flood control equipment, the MMDA said.

Carlos, meanwhile, promised that the MMDA and DPWH are already working on solving the flooding problem in the 22 areas. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com