Bill seeks to return control of pumping stations to MMDA

Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed Senate Bill (SB) 1168, seeking to return to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the rehabilitation and maintenance of pumping stations in Metro Manila, which are supposed to help speed up the receding time of flood water during heavy rainfall.

- 

During the courtesy visit of MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and other agency officials to his office in the Senate on Monday, Tulfo found out that the DPWH currently holds the mandate and budget for the rehabilitation of pumping stations, while the MMDA directly oversees and operates them to prevent flooding in Metro Manila.

In filing the measure, Tulfo noted that recent floodings in Metro Manila underscore the urgent need for this legislative action, and the current arrangement is of no help because this only creates significant operational inefficiencies as two government agencies have to deal with the pumping stations when it can be tasked to a single agency.

Tulfo cited in example what he found out during said meeting about some nonfunctional pumping stations in Metro Manila, like the one near Senate of the Philippines, Pasay.