Removal of unfinished pumping station in Quezon City begins

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started removing an unfinished pumping station in Quezon City, which the local government said worsened flooding in the area.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Mayor Joy Belmonte inspected yesterday the removal of parapet wall and sheet piles constructed as part of the now-aborted Matalahib creek pumping station in Barangay Talayan.

Belmonte had flagged the project, which initially cost P95.99 million, after it was implemented without coordination with the city government.

The project was awarded by the DPWH first engineering office to a joint venture of St. Timothy Construction Corp. and Pilastro Builders and Development Inc. in May 2024.

Belmonte said the project, which violates the country’s water and building codes, did not obtain the necessary permit from the city government.

Belmonte met with DPWH officials last year and secured a commitment that the P250 million needed to complete the pumping station would be used for projects aligned with the city’s drainage masterplan.

Based on an assessment by the Quezon City engineering department, the Matalahib Creek pumping station has worsened flooding in Barangay Talayan.

The DPWH outlined three interventions to solve flooding in the area: removal of barriers or flood control structures, continuous dredging of the San Juan River and construction of detention and retention basins.