MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing for the development of nature-based solutions and blue-green infrastructure at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila to improve stormwater management and help reduce flooding in the area.
Under the proposed project, the MMDA plans to establish bioretention areas, rain gardens, and bioretention ponds designed to temporarily collect and store rainwater during heavy downpours.
The initiative also includes vegetated drainage corridors and permeable walkways that would allow rainwater to seep into the ground, filter runoff, and regulate water flow before it reaches surrounding drainage systems.
According to the MMDA, the proposed infrastructure aims to minimize rainwater accumulation within the sports complex while improving its capacity to absorb and retain excess water, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
Beyond flood mitigation, the project also seeks to enhance public spaces through additional green areas, shaded pedestrian pathways, and other environmentally friendly facilities.
These improvements are expected to create a greener and more comfortable environment for athletes, visitors, and the general public.
The initiative forms part of the MMDA’s Metro Manila Sponge City Project, which promotes sustainable stormwater management through nature-based solutions and infrastructure designed to absorb, store, and gradually release rainwater.
The broader program aims to strengthen Metro Manila’s resilience against flooding by integrating natural water-management systems into urban development.
The MMDA has yet to announce a construction timeline or budget for the proposed improvements at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
