PBBM seeks 13 NCR upgraded pumping stations

The government will build and upgrade 13 pumping stations across Metro Manila by the end of the year or early 2027 to manage increasing rainfall caused by climate change, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced.

Marcos made the statement during an inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City, the largest of the 73 pumping facilities operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the capital region.

“Because of climate change, because of the increase in volume of rainfall that has been coming to the Philippines and will come in the future, we are installing additional pumping stations,” Marcos said.

“I think, altogether, we will have 13 additional pumping stations which we should have in place by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.”

MMDA chairperson Romando Artes clarified that four of the 13 projects involve completely new installations, while the remaining nine will undergo major equipment upgrades.

During the site visit, Artes briefed the president on waste management and clearing operations at the Tripa de Gallina facility, which has a drainage capacity of 56 cubic meters per second.

Facility records show that accumulated trash regularly clogs the station’s intakes, contributing to severe flooding in nearby low-lying areas, including Parañaque City.

Following the inspection, Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to maintain continuous dredging and waterway maintenance, replace aging drainage networks, and reinforce existing seawalls.