QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) today clarified that it is not the Dolomite Beach but the ongoing drainage systems project in the area which caused flooding in some of the streets in Manila last Friday.

"Not Dolomite Beach but the ongoing construction of pumping stations in Baywalk caused of recent floods in the area," the MMDA said in a statement sent to media on Tuesday.

During the inspection at the Juan Luna Elementary School in Manila for the Brigada Eskwela, MMDA Acting General Manager Baltazar Melgar said that it is not the beach but the unfinished pumping stations and a pipeline near the area which caused the flood.

"Dolomite Beach has no connection to the recent flooding in the area. The reason why flood water subsided slowly during heavy rains last Friday was the ongoing construction of three pumping stations and a pipeline by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which is expected to be completed by October," Melgar said.

These three pumping stations are the Padre Faura Drainage, Remedios Drainage and Estero De San Antonio.

He said these pumping stations and pipelines are part of the engineering solutions that the government has put in place to further decrease the high coliform level count in the area and make the quality of water in Manila Bay "swimmable".

Melgar also explained that the slow subsidence of floodwater was because it was diverted to the Pasig River thru the Balete Pumping Station instead of discharging directly into the Manila Bay pending the completion of the three pumping stations.

The MMDA is now coordinating with the DPWH in operating a mobile pump in the area to discharge the water directly to the Manila Bay.

"These storm waters can be safely discharged directly into the Manila Bay because it can be diluted," he said.

Water discharged to the bay should be treated to improve water quality as part of the government's program to rehabilitate it. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)