Mayor Isko, MMDA meet with UST officials on proposed rain catchment cistern

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes met with officials of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to discuss the Rainwater Impounding Facility (RIF) being eyed to be built on the university's property.

- By PATRICK GARCIA

"Bilang isa sa mga paaralan sa University Belt (U-Belt) na madalas maapektuhan ng baha, makatutulong ang pinaplano na proyektong ito upang mabawasan ang pagbaha at magamit muli ang tubig-ulan (As one of the schools in the University Belt that is often affected by floods, this planned project will help reduce flooding and reuse rainwater)," Domagoso said.

The proposed RIF consists of a 10-meter-deep cistern to be built underneath the grounds of UST, which could have a capacity for around 72,000 cubic meters of water equivalent to 30 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Artes said the facility could also be used as a parking area for 400 cars if it's not the rainy season.