ICI: Billion-worth Tondo pump station never worked, worsened floods

Amidst anomalous flood control projects, Malacañang’s Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) discovered that the P774-million Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila, has been defective since its supposed completion in 2020.

The pumping station was funded starting in 2017, with construction beginning in 2018, and this year, an additional P94 million was earmarked for “repairs.”

However, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Dizon ordered the suspension of the repair process pending an investigation by a third-party inspector to determine the actual repairs needed.

“What we’re seeing is it seems to be a pattern in these projects—funds are released, payments are made, but they turn out either substandard or sometimes even ghost projects,” Dizon said. “Because we might just be throwing nearly P100 million here.”

Together with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Dizon scolded Manila public works officials for continuously squeezing funds for the project, yet flooding in the area worsened instead of being prevented.

“Instead of helping, it made things worse. Before this was built, the water level here was low. When they put this up—and obviously it hasn’t worked since completion—the flooding here became worse,” Dizon added.

Moreno also pointed out that the project was not coordinated with the local government and no building permit was secured, proving it was never made operational.

“Aren’t we ashamed?” Moreno said. “If you ask the people here, before this pumping station, the water was manageable. Life was normal. But when the pumping station supposedly for flood control was built, it became flood un-control.”

Additionally, DPWH subordinates stated that the project still requires another P200 million to be fully functional, which Dizon immediately dismissed.

Former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar led the inauguration of the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in 2018, acclaiming it as the department’s “long-term solution” to rampant flooding in nearby areas.