A proposed measure filed in the Senate seeks to transfer the responsibility for rehabilitating and maintaining Metro Manila’s pumping stations from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) back to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), citing inefficiencies that delay flood mitigation efforts during heavy rains.

Under Senate Bill 1168, Senator Raffy Tulfo proposed that the MMDA, which currently operates the pumping stations, be granted full authority—including the mandate and budget—to rehabilitate and maintain them.

The current setup, where the DPWH holds this mandate while the MMDA handles operations, has led to operational delays and confusion, Tulfo said.

“The MMDA is more familiar with the condition of pumping stations under its jurisdiction, thus, should have the authority to initiate rehabilitation works when it deems necessary. The current bureaucratic set-up could lead to delays, reducing the efficiency and capacity of critical flood control infrastructure during heavy rainfall,” he said.

Tulfo pointed to recent flooding across Metro Manila as proof of the urgent need for reform.

During an oversight meeting, the senator learned of non-functional pumping stations, including one near the Senate in Pasay, that remain unrepaired due to the overlapping mandates between agencies.

Tulfo cited the Sunog de Apog Pumping Station, which, according to the MMDA, has never been operational since its completion.

The agency reportedly refused to accept the facility from the DPWH during its turnover because it was non-functional. The station was intended to mitigate flooding along España Boulevard in Manila, but its failure to operate has left the area vulnerable during heavy rains.

Tulfo also flagged the Vitas Pumping Station in Tondo, which was allegedly rehabilitated by the DPWH even though it was not yet due for any upgrades — another case, he says, that underscores the need to align authority with on-the-ground knowledge.

He cited the need to establish a unified and accountable system by transferring this function, along with the corresponding assets, records, and funding, to the MMDA.

“The MMDA, with its operational expertise and direct presence in Metro Manila, is better equipped to implement a proactive and responsive strategy for the rehabilitation and maintenance of pumping stations, thereby enhancing the overall flood mitigation effort,” he said.

In his bill, Tulfo cited a 2018 report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which estimated that Metro Manila loses up to P2.4 billion daily due to traffic congestion—a figure he said worsens during the typhoon season due to flooding.

He also referenced recommendations from the World Bank urging the modernization of Metro Manila’s pumping stations, saying it is a task best handled by the MMDA, given its jurisdiction and operational role.

“This bill, therefore, is a necessary legislative intervention to empower the MMDA to effectively manage, upgrade, and rehabilitate the pumping stations under its jurisdiction, which are a vital line of defense against the devastating effects of flooding,” Tulfo said.

“By consolidating authority and resources in MMDA, it aims to create a more resilient and sustainable flood management system for Metro Manila,” he added.