MMDA buys 2 anti-flood pumps

MANILA, Philippines - To boost the power of Metro Manila’s flood pumping stations, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has purchased two more additional high-capacity pumps for P13 million.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the two pumps combined can draw off seven cubic meters of floodwater per second.

Baltazar Melgar, head of the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, said the new pumps, which were bought from Taiwan, will be installed at the Libertad pumping station located in Pasay City.

“Each machine can pump out 3.5 cubic meters of water per second which is more than the capacity of the existing pumps installed in the said area,” Melgar said.

Melgar said the Libertad pumping station services the cities of Pasay and Makati.

According to Melgar, the new pumps have two gates for faster water release and is equipped with a trash screen with rakes.

In comparison, Melgar said the present pumps installed in the different pumping stations in Metro Manila have only a single gate and are only capable of releasing excess water during a heavy downpour for a short periods.

“All the pumping stations in Metro Manila have undergone a check-up after (tropical storm) ‘Ondoy’ and our office is closely monitoring their performance, including the personnel manning them to prevent being caught off guard,” Melgar said.

According to Melgar, Metro Manila has 25 big pumping stations and 30 smaller pumps to complement the bigger ones.   – Mike Frialde