Manila, Aug. 21 -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said floodwaters in the National Capital Region now subside faster than before -- a measurable evidence of effective mitigation efforts.

In a Radyo Pilipinas interview on Friday, MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Nicolas Torre III cited Aurora Boulevard corner Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City as an example, where floods that previously took 18 to 24 hours to subside now clear in about five.

"Nitong nakaraang pag-ulan na umapaw 'yan, 2 p.m. tumigil ang ulan, 7 p.m. passable na uli ang kalsada sapagkat wala na 'yong tubig (During the recent rain that caused flooding there, the rain stopped at 2 p.m., and by 7 p.m., the road was already passable because the water was ...