Inspection conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday at the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City, the largest pumping station in the National Capital Region (NCR), resulted in the retrieval of garbage.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the move is to ensure the unhampered operations of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in view of the inclement weather.

Only recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all concerned government agencies to implement proactive measures and ensure complete readiness as many communities are dealing with the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Personnel of the MMDA at the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station collected heavy loads of garbage on 22 July, which included old furniture, broken refrigerators, wheels, trunks of fallen trees, and other large debris.

"When plastics are sucked into the pump, they get coiled in the engine, resulting in overheating. The efficiency of our pumping stations are really affected and could result in damaged equipment," Artes explained.

He also cited Metro Manila's outdated drainage system as part of the problem.

"Our drainage system is antiquated, with more than 50 years of service. To address these issues, we need a drainage master plan for Metro Manila that involves upgrading and expanding the existing drainage network, constructing new pumping stations, among others,” he said.

Artes assured that all 71 pumping stations, vital in addressing the flooding problems in Metro Manila, are working at full capacity.

The MMDA chief stressed that discipline remains an integral part in addressing flooding problems in Metro Manila, urging the public to segregate their waste properly.

Personnel from the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO), under Director Baltazar Melgar, regularly conduct declogging and dredging operations on drainages and waterways in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

The program is one of the mitigating measures of the agency even before the onset of the rainy season.

Artes, on the other hand, also inspected the MRT Batasan Station along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to address the possible causes of flooding in the area and propose a viable solution.

"The size of the inlet was reduced to 2 feet by 2 feet from its original dimension of 3 meters by 3 meters. Our agency plans to widen the existing steel-grating drop inlet to intercept the flood waters coming from IBP Road,” Artes noted.

Representatives from the local government of Quezon City and SMC MRT-7 Corporation also joined the inspection.

SMC Infrastructure committed to address the problem and correct it immediately.