Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced a ₱1.5-billion plan to modernize Taft Avenue’s decades-old drainage system after inspections revealed that mud and silt had clogged nearly half of its floodwater capacity.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is requesting funding through the proposed 2027 national budget. Once financed, the project is expected to be completed within six to seven months.
“Humingi tayo ng pondo under the 2027 budget. Buong Taft Avenue, both sides, yung natitira, mga nasa P1.5 billion ang hiningi natin dito. Mula Pasay hanggang Ayala, both sides na,” Dizon said.
According to Dizon, sections of the drainage network likely date back to the 1950s or 1960s and have never undergone a major upgrade despite repeated flooding along one of Manila’s busiest thoroughfares.
Although the DPWH has started declogging operations, Dizon said removing accumulated debris is only a short-term solution. The department plans to expand drainage lines on both sides of Taft Avenue from Pasay to the Ayala Bridge area, replicating the flood-control improvements previously carried out in Santa Isabel, Manila.
“Ang talagang solusyon dito, [palakihin] natin yung mga drainage. Yun ang gagawin natin dito,” he said.
The project is expected to cause temporary traffic disruptions while construction is underway. Dizon said the DPWH will speed up implementation and work with local government units on traffic management and rerouting.
He also directed the agency to conduct drainage declogging across Metro Manila every three months, noting that maintenance had previously been done only once a year—or even less frequently.
“Ang declogging, dapat, at least, dapat yan every three months ginagawa. Ang problema, hindi ginagawa dati nang regular. Siguro once a year o baka less pa,” Dizon said.
Beyond Taft Avenue, the DPWH is also preparing a major flood-control project along España Boulevard to improve drainage capacity and help reduce flooding in another flood-prone section of Manila.
