The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to monitor environmental management issues with the current implementation of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase III.
This was reassured by DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Flood Control Management Cluster Director Patrick B. Gatan who noted that problems encountered during the early environmental assessment in 2016 have been addressed.
He noted the reduction of vibration lev el which was once above the maximum allowable peak velocity in April 2016 report, but was reduced and have been compliant since December 2016. Teams deployed year-round were tasked to monitor if levels of noise, air pollution, vibration, river water quality, river water flow, aquatic biota, riverbed sediment, and drainage water are compliant to environmental standards.
Director Gatan said although results of 2016 assessment showed that impact of project activities to the environment was limited to either zero to only very minimal, continuous monitoring will still be implemented to ensure that the project do not cause further damage or contamination.
The Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase III which aims to mitigate flood damage caused by channel overflow of the Pasig-Marikina River had baseline data gathering of its environmental condition since September 2014 for Contract Package No. 1 and July 2014 for Contract Package No. 2.
In 2016, DPWH worked on steel sheet pile driving, concreting, excavation, and riprap under Phase III, Contract Package No. 1 which passes the left bank of Quinta Market, Nagtahan, GSIS, Tzu-Chi compound, Punta Park, Punta, Lambingan 1 and 2, NDC compound, Barangka Ibaba and Itaas, Barangka Itaas Park, Vergara Park 2, Barangka Ilaya, and Bauyang Bato and right bank of Peter & Paul, Arroceros Park, Muelle del rio Park, Hospicio 1, Peter & Paul Park, Zamora, Chevron 2, Flying V, Mighty, Manila Cordage, Guadalupe Viejo 1 to 4, Makati Park 1 to 3, and West Rembo.
Contract Package No. 2 activities on the other hand include dredging of a total volume of 996,812 cubic meters from Lower Marikina River, Barangay Kapasigan/Caniogan, Barangay Ugong, Barangay Rosario, Temporary jetty, and Backfill Site. This volume is 4.3 percent more than the expected total volume due to heavy sedimentation from the upstream. Package No. 2 also covered concreting, steel sheet pile driving, excavation, earthworks, and backfilling works.