Dizon orders 2 more temporary pumps installed at Tondo’s Sunog Apog station

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the installation of two more temporary pumps at the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Manila, which has not functioned since its completion in 2020.

In an interview on “Unang Balita” on Monday, Dizon said the temporary pumps would help mitigate the flood while the pumping facility is being investigated.

“Ang immediate solution natin, meron dalawang temporary pump na ininstall yung dating mga supplier. Pinapadagdagan ko pa yun ng dalawa pa,” Dizon said.

(We have temporary pumps for an immediate solution. Two were already installed by the former supplier. I told them to add two more.)

“So nagpapadagdag pa ako ng dalawa pa para habang inaayos natin ito, meron tayong gumagana para kahit pa paano maibsa naman yung baha dito,” he added.

(I instructed them to add two more so that while we’re doing repair works, something is working to lessen the flood in the area.)

The DPWH has found that instead of mitigating flooding, the facility has worsened flooding in the area, and lacks building permits and power connections.

Despite unresolved defects, the pumping station is also set to receive an additional P94 million for upgrades, with a further proposal for an additional P200 million.

Dizon said a third party will access that pumping station facility.

He also ordered the DPWH - National Capital Region to summon the two contractors and the supplier for the investigation.

Before his resignation as special adviser of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the commission will also probe into the Sunog Apog Pumping Station, Dizon said. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News