As part of efforts to improve flood mitigation measures in the country’s capital.
On Thursday, August 20, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday conducted an inspection of the biggest of the 73 pumping stations in Metro Manila, the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City.
There, he assessed its capacity to manage the heavy volume of rainwater, with the Chief Executive noting that the pumps were operating properly.
Marcos noted that flooding during the rainy season is worsened by improper garbage disposal, which can clog drainage systems and affect the flow of floodwaters, and stressed the need to address the volume of garbage clogging the drainage systems.
The President observed the operation of the trash rake facilities, which collect solid waste and debris from the estero and subsequently transported along the conveyor belt for proper disposal.
Marcos was also briefed on the station’s operations, catchment area, and the locations of other pumping stations across the National Capital Region (NCR) inside the pump engine room.
INSTALLATION, UPGRADING OF PUMPING STATIONS
Meanwhile, during his visit, he also confirmed that 13 additional pumping stations are scheduled for installation and upgrading works. All these are expected to be operational by the end of the year or early 2027.
“Because of climate change, because of the increase in volume of rainfall that has been coming to the Philippines and will come in the future, we are installing additional pumping stations,” said the President. “And those pumping stations are in and around Manila. I think, altogether, we will have 13 additional pumping stations which we should have in place by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Most of them should be in place already.”
He also said that these pumping stations, even if they are brand new, could see their efficiency go down if they get overwhelmed with trash. The Chief Executive also said that are also looking if the volume these pumping stations are adequate, especially with the recent heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon.
“Tinitingnan natin kung sapat dahil ang katotohanan ay talagang napakarami ang tubig na bumabagsak ngayon compared sa mga nakaraang taon,” he said. “Kaya’t kailangan tingnan natin kung sapat ang volume na kaya ng mga bomba natin para ilabas ang tubig.”
Marcos also specifically identified trash being the number one problem, but are being sorted out by the pumping stations, which he told are working properly.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said that of the 13 pumping stations mentioned by President Marcos, four are new, while the rest will be upgraded.
Artes said the MMDA-operated Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station has a pumping capacity of 56 cubic meters per second, with its data showing that garbage had previously overwhelmed the station, contributing to flooding in low-lying areas, including Parañaque City.
The official also noted that President Marcos had previously visited the pumping station to check on the situation when they encountered a problem with the pumping station after a tree log blocked the system.
Moreover, the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station was also recently upgraded and improved, Artes disclosed. “Well, na-upgrade na ito recently…I think ‘yung last na lumakas talaga ‘yung mga bomba ay 2022 under World Bank Project,” he said.
President Marcos had also recently ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to sustain regular waterway maintenance and cleaning, including implementing Oplan Kontra Baha and Bayanihan sa Estero, replacing old drainage systems, and upgrading seawalls and other floodwater management structures.
Additional directives include the implementation of long-term flood mitigation measures, such as desiltation, water impounding, and the relocation of affected communities.
The President also directed authorities to study water-capture and reuse systems for the collection of water for household, industrial, and irrigation purposes.
All these efforts, according to the Palace, are being undertaken in coordination with the MMDA to review and update the Flood Control Master Plan and complete the detailed engineering for underground water storage facilities at 30 sites.
