Machines for the planned Metro Manila Subway could be used to dig underground for flood control, said new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos as he raised this “wild idea” during a House of Representatives hearing on his plans.

On Wednesday, February 17, Abalos told lawmakers that using tunnel boring machines could speed up digging for a spillway to address flooding in the capital region.

Laguna Lake has become the catch basin of excess Metro Manila water. Abalos said the quickest way to address flooding in areas surrounding the lake, such as Parañaque City, is to build a spillway leading to Manila Bay.

“This is just a wild idea of mine.… Gamitin mo ang technology ng subway, maghuhukay ka sa Sucat [sa] ilalim ng lupa. At ‘yung tunnel na ‘yun ang gagawin mong spillway…. That will really cure the flooding in Metro Manila,” said Abalos.

(This is just a wild idea of mine. Let’s use the technology of the subway to dig under Sucat. The tunnel is what will be used as spillway. That will really cure the flooding in Metro Manila.)

Tunnel boring machines are used to cut and grind rocks and soil.

The Department of Transportation purchased a total of 25 machines to construct the Metro Manila Subway, which is targeted to be fully operational by 2026. Abalos attended the launch of the tunnel boring machine’s cutterhead on February 5.

It’s still unclear how the new MMDA chairman plans to do this or whether the machines could actually be used for this purpose without a technical study.

In other countries, however, tunnel boring machines are also used to create drainage tunnels for sewerage overflows.

Bus ramps

Abalos has also set his eyes on constructing elevated bus ramps along EDSA, to ease congestion in U-turn slots. The budget for this is not under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, as Abalos was only appointed in January.

According to the new MMDA chief, two bus ramps cost P100 million. He said there should be ramps in Caloocan City, Quezon City, and Pasay City.

So far, the Quezon City government has already provided P100 million. The transportation and public works departments have also committed to provide funding, said Abalos.

The MMDA also plans to save some P300 million from its 2021 budget, which, Abalos said, he hopes to be used for the unappropriated project.

Easing restrictions

Also brought up during the House hearing was the proposal to allow children to go out of their homes even as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Abalos said the MMDA and Metro Manila mayors have already raised their concerns.

“Para sa akin, kung gagawing 10, 12, or even 5, ‘yun ang dapat pag-usapan. Ni-raise na namin ‘yan sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases). Mamayang gabi, mag-uusap kami rito. We will just wait for the decision,” said Abalos.

(For me, if we lower the restriction to up to 10, 12, or even 5 years old, that’s what we should talk about. We already raised this to the IATF. Later tonight, we’ll discuss this. We’ll just wait for the decision.)

In an interview with ANC, Abalos said the risk would be “lower” if the age restriction is lowered to 15 years old instead of 10 years old as proposed by the National Economic and Development Authority. – Rappler.com