MMDA: Quiapo pumping station capacity up 25% after rehabilitation

The newly rehablitated and reopened Quiapo pumping station in Manila will significantly boost the pumping capacity there in the event of flooding, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday.

In a text message to GMA News Online, MMDA Flood Control head Engr. Maxima Quiambao said the rehabilitation of the old pumping station will definitely improve its capacity.

“'Yung pumping natin ay nag-increase ng more than 25% capacity sa area at dahil dito ay mari-reduce ang time ng flooding,” Quiambao said.

“Subalit kahit tinaas natin ang capacity ang problem sa flooding ay dahil sa basura pa rin,” she added.

A report on “Balitanghali” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino led the inauguration of the Quiapo pumping station. Still, he was eyeing a different method of solving the country's flood crisis.

“Ang pangarap ko tanggapin natin 'yung incineration. Waste to energy. Walang baha sa Singapore dahil anim 'yung incinerator plants nila. Basura ang pinagmumulan noon,” Tolentino said.

The MMDA has 44 pumping stations across Metro Manila. Of these, Eight of twelve including the Quiapo pumping station have completed rehablitation.

The cost for rehabilitating the decades-old Quiapo pumping station was P100 million. The other four pumping stations being rehabilitated are expected to be reopened by September.

A study conducted by the World Bank said an additional 16 pumping stations are needed in Metro Manila to effectively combat flooding. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News