Quezon City government bucks another DPWH pumping station

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government is opposing the construction of a second pumping station that will be built over another creek in District 1.

In a statement yesterday, the local government said it released a letter of objection against the pumping station project to be constructed over Mariblo Creek by the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR).

City hall said the project violates the Water Code of the Philippines, which identifies bodies of waters as “non-buildable” areas.

According to the city government, the design of the pumping station will reduce the waterway and the pump’s capacity is not sufficient to handle the expected volume of water flowing through the creek.

“Because of this, the project may cause worse flooding in the upstream barangays of Mariblo Creek,” city hall said.

The first phase of the project costs almost P283 million.

The city government’s Infrastructure Committee has rejected the DPWH’s request for a certificate of coordination for the project.

But the DPWH still pushed through with mobilization works despite the lack of the necessary certificate.

Quezon City had objected to the construction of another pumping station over Matalahib Creek, also in District 1, after studies showed its impact on flooding in nearby areas.

The project, also under the DPWH-NCR, also did not have the necessary certificate of coordination mandated by a city ordinance.

“The local government seeks to ensure that all flood control projects implemented in the city are effective and aligned with the drainage master plan, to guarantee that these projects provide solutions to flooding and safeguard the safety of QCitizens,” city hall said.