World Bank approves co-financing with AIIB for Metro Manila flood control

MANILA: The World Bank has green-lighted its counterpart financing for the US$500mil Metro Manila flood management project a day after the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved its share.

In a statement last Friday, the Washingtonbased multilateral lender said its board of executive directors approved the US$207.6mil loan on Sept 28.

The AIIB board on Sept 27 gave its go-ahead for its $207.6mil share, its first loan to the Philippines.

The remaining US$84.7mil will come from the national government.

Under the Metro Manila flood manage- ment project, 36 existing pumping stations will be modernised, 20 new ones will be constructed and supporting infrastructure along critical waterways will be improved in the cities of Manila, Pasay, Taguig, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City and Caloocan.

Many of Metro Manila’s existing pumping stations were built in the 1970s and have become inefficient and underperforming, the World Bank pointed out.

The project aimed for completion in 2024 will be jointly implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority, with support from the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corp. as well as local government units.

Recurrent flooding has made life more difficult for the poorest populations who live in low-lying areas, on riverbanks and in other danger zones.

When floods occur, the capacity of people to earn a living is constrained and many can fall back into poverty.

Investments that improve flood management helps protect vulnerable communities as well as boost resilience against the impact of climate change, said Mara Warwick, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

The lives of people in metropolitan Manila especially the poor, women and children are severely affected by exposure to frequent cyclones and flooding induced by heavy rain.

The floods disrupt business and commercial activities, causing unnecessary economic costs.

Investing in sustainable infrastructure is a key priority for AIIB and we feel this project is a great fit for our first investment in the Philippines, the World Bank quoted AIIB director-general for investment operations Supee Teravaninthorn as saying.