MRT-7 denies causing flood along Commonwealth Avenue

SAN MIGUEL CORP. (SMC) through the management of Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) has denied that it is responsible for Commonwealth Avenue flooding.

“Its facilities near Batasan Station on Commonwealth Avenue are not the cause of the flooding that occurred in the area, following renewed statements linking the incident in part to the ongoing project,” MRT-7 Project Management Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

This came after the Department of Transportation said that the contractors of the MRT-7 project were ordered to clear blockages along Commonwealth Avenue.

SMC, through its wholly owned unit SMC MRT-7 Corp. holds the concession to build, operate, and maintain the MRT-7.

The company said all MRT-7 structures in the area, including columns and footings, were built outside of the existing drainage lines and do not obstruct the water flow.

“These were constructed with full consideration of the drainage layout and in compliance with approved engineering plans,” it said, adding that the construction of the project was fully coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

It also added that its engineers inspected the area and pointed out that the drainage outlets were clogged with plastic waste and debris.

“This significantly reduced the system’s capacity to carry rainwater, which likely contributed to surface flooding,” it said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose