SCO issued vs. Manila district engineer for Sunog Apog Pumping Station 'irregularities'

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday directed the District Engineer of the North Manila District Engineering Office to explain the alleged irregularities at the Sunog Apog Pumping Station Flood Control Project.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon issued the show cause order after his visit to the site on Wednesday with Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Dumagoso.

In the memorandum, the DPWH said it found that:

1. The pumping station has never functioned since its completion in 2020, despite full payment having been made;
2. Instead of mitigating flooding, the facility has exacerbated flooding in the area, with residents reporting significantly worsened water levels;
3. The project lacked the required building permit and power connection, preventing energization by Meralco and raising questions of regulatory compliance;
4. An additional P94 Million upgrading project was initiated, with further proposals for an additional P200 Million, despite the unresolved defects and absence of proof of functionality; and
5. There was an apparent lack of coordination with the City Government of Manila in the planning and implementation of the project.

“These circumstances, if left unexplained, may constitute gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, inefficiency, and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, in violation of civil service laws, rules, and regulations,” the DPWH memorandum read.

DPWH gave the Manila district Engineer 5 days to submit a written explanation. 

Dizon has alredy ordered to halt the repairs on the Sunog Apog Pumping Station after it found out that it has yet to resume operation since 2017. —VAL, GMA Integrated News