Insider Spotlight:
🧱 No interference from MRT-7 structures
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the MRT-7 Project Management Office said all its installations near the Batasan Station—including columns and footings—were built outside the existing drainage lines. The group emphasized that construction was carried out in compliance with approved engineering designs that took into account the drainage layout of the area.
🕳️ Manhole within specs, no flow disruption
Concerns were previously raised about a manhole allegedly built along a drainage line. MRT-7 engineers clarified that based on simulations and on-site inspections, the manhole did not disrupt water flow within the pipe culverts.
🛠️ Drainage system was restored months earlier
Earlier phases of construction temporarily affected a portion of the drainage system. However, MRT-7 noted that these activities were coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which issued a certification on March 3, 2025, confirming the system was “100-percent completely restored in accordance with standard plans and specifications.”
🗑️ Flooding caused by plastic waste and debris
Following the latest flooding event, MRT-7 engineers conducted a site inspection and found the drainage outlet “heavily clogged” with garbage, primarily plastic. The blockage significantly reduced the drainage system’s capacity to handle rainwater, likely contributing to surface flooding in the area .
📄 No proof MRT-7 caused obstructions
During a recent interagency meeting, the project management office requested any documentation that might support claims that MRT-7 facilities obstructed water flow. No such evidence has been provided to date.
🌊 Long-term flood mitigation efforts underway
Through parent company San Miguel Corp.’s Better Rivers PH initiative, MRT-7 is participating in flood control by helping clean heavily polluted waterways. Over 8.5 million metric tons of waste have been removed across Metro Manila and nearby provinces so far .
