Tondo pumping station plagued by irregularities fixed after 6 years - DPWH

After six years of inactivity, the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila is now operational to help curb flooding in the metropolis, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Sunday.

“Six years na hindi gumana. In six months, dahil sa pagtutulungan natin, napapagana na natin ito,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in a social media post.

(It was non-operational for six years. In six months, thanks to our collective efforts, we have successfully run it.)

“Malaking tulong 'yan para maibsan kahit papaano 'yung pagbaha dito [sa Tondo, Manila],” Dizon added.

(This is a major help to alleviate, at least to some extent, the flooding here.)

As part of the Blumentritt Interceptor System, DPWH projects the operation of the pumping station will ease flooding in several areas of Metro Manila, including España, Sampaloc, Rizal Avenue, Maria Clara, and parts of Quezon City.

The operation of the Sunog Apog Pumping Station this June beat the July deadline set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In 2025, Dizon ordered the halt to certain repair works at the pumping station after it was discovered that it had not been operational since 2017.

Former DPWH-National Capital Region Director Gerard Opulencia was issued a show-cause order in September 2025 over alleged irregularities linked to the project.

The DPWH order highlighted several key issues, including worsening floods in nearby communities, lack of electricity and building permits, and scrutiny over additional funding, including ₱94 million for upgrades and a proposed additional P200 million in its budget. —RF, GMA News