The underpass across from the Manila City Hall is called Lagusnilad. The underpass is prone to flooding and had been neglected for a long time under several administrations spanning several Presidents, DPWH Secretaries and Manila Mayors. Kudos to the recent Mayor and DPWH officials who finally addressed the flooding problem as well as improved the pavement and lighting for Lagusnilad.

Approach to the lowest point of the underpass from Padre Burgos Avenue, one notes the now well-lit underpass and the solar studs marking the lanes.

The lowest section of the underpass is prone to flooding but major rehab works to the drainage plus new pumps appear to have addressed the problem.

Emerging from the underpass towards Taft Avenue

I have memories of when this underpass was often flooded back in the 1990s including a time when vehicles braved the waters and got stuck after drivers discovered just how deep the waters can be. The joke then was that the underpass would be renamed ‘Langoynilad’, alluding to people and vehicles having to swim to traverse this section.

There is also a pedestrian underpass that is called Lagusnilad. This connects City Hall with Intramuros and used to be so dirty and stinky. Again, credit is due to recent officials who rehabilitated the underpass to what is now a tourist attraction but more importantly a good practice example for pedestrian facilities.

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