CATCHBASIN construction and drainage improvement projects along España Boulevard will begin in September, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.
Dizon and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso inspected the sites for the projects on July 30.
“Nag-planning kami at pinalista ko kay Mayor ‘yung pipe interventions na gagawin natin dito sa España. Medyo mabibigat ‘tong mga intervention na ito, at hindi natin magagawa ito kung hindi tayo tutulungan ng local government,” Dizon said.
(We planned the pipe interventions to be done here in España. These interventions will be heavy and wouldn’t be possible without the local government’s assistance.)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects include the construction of four cross-drainage systems connected to Manila’s pumping stations, as well as a catchbasin at Bustillos Street in Sampaloc district. Flood-prone portions of España Boulevard will be elevated.
Dizon said business owners and residents in affected areas had been informed that construction would take several months.
“Magkakaroon ng kaunting aberya in the next few months, pero sa tingin namin kapag natapos ‘to [mababawasan] na din ang baha sa España once and for all,” he said.
(There will be some inconvenience in the next few months, but we think that when construction ends, flooding will lessen in España once and for all.)
“Grabe na talaga ang pagbaha dito. Grabe rin ang epekto sa mga estudyante, sa mga negosyo dito, sa mga tao,” he added.
(The floods here have worsened. Students, businesses, and people suffer.)
España Boulevard is historically prone to flooding, particularly during heavy rains.
The major thoroughfare was rendered impassable during major typhoons such as Carina in 2024 and Nando in 2025, which caused knee-to-waist-deep flooding.
