GMA inspects Sta. Mesa pumping station

President Arroyo personally led yesterday the inspection of the Valencia Pumping Station in Sta. Mesa, Manila to ensure its capability of minimizing floods in low-lying areas of the city during the rainy season.

The President witnessed the cleaning of Estero de Valencia and the actual operation of the Valencia Pumping Station, which pumps out floodwater into the Pasig River during heavy rains.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando briefed the President on the flood-control capabilities of the pumping station.

The huge pumps, floodgates and proper maintenance of the Valencia Pumping Station, he said, will stem the tidewater and boost recession of floodwater in low-lying areas of Manila.

"I intend to put up a playground facility so children can have an opportunity to enjoy the safe and smooth operation of the Valencia Pumping Station," Fernando told the President.

He pointed out that among the MMDA’s flood-control projects, the one in the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) area and another in West Manggahan are set to be completed next year.

Additional pumps are now also being installed at the Quiapo Pumping Station.

Fernando noted that along San Francisco Street in Mandaluyong City, there is an ongoing construction of a pumping station and floodgates.

"By 2007, upon completion of the major flood-control projects in the CAMANAVA area and West Manggahan, the 13,000 hectares of flood-prone areas will be reduced to 3,680 hectares," Fernando said.

"That’s very good and an excellent job, we hope for floodless areas this rainy season," Mrs. Arroyo said. The 30-year-old Valencia Pumping Station is a MMDA flood control structure used to pump out floodwater from Estero de Valencia into the Pasig River during heavy rains and high tide when water elevation is higher than the "estero."

It was constructed in 1975 and completed in 1976. It services the 246-hectare catch basin areas of Sta. Mesa and Sampaloc, which covers around 63 barangays.

The facility has four pumps with a total capacity of 10.5 cubic meters per second and two floodgates, a total length of 1,080 meters and an average width of seven meters.