Written by: Miko Halim
Photo by: Jann Kaizer Tena
September 2, 2019 — The UST Facilities Management Office (FMO) alongside IPM aims to improve the drainage system of the campus, with the main goal of expanding the existing temporary detentions or a 'catch basin' of flood water which will then be pumped to certain pumping stations after sudden downpours to prevent stagnation.
The improved system is expected to solve the flooding problem in the campus, with the interest of safety and health of the students, as well as those who are working in the university.
"Ang iniiwasan ngayon ng UST is yung mas nagiging dangerous pa sa students sa loob kasi baha sa loob ta[po]s sa labas wala", Engr. Albert Surla, FMO Assistant Director, stated in his interview with the Thomasian Engineer.
The plan was proposed due to the existing drainage system's poor management and design; the drainage systems in Sampaloc, specifically Espana Blvd. and Nicanor Reyes St., are relatively small compared to regular drainage systems in the city. Debris such as garbage and other waste matter makes the system more difficult to maintain.
The newly improved drainage system was designed to store a 50-year return period worth of rainfall and is 4-5 meters deep.
Although, the project faced a handful of challenges on the safety of the students, traffic in the campus, heavy rainfalls during daytime, and also not being able to do major works in the day because of on-going classes, the new drainage system will be expected to be fully operational next academic year.
The UST Facilities Management Office, with all its efforts, targets the completion of the project by the midyear of 2020.
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