Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the inspection of the rehabilitation works at the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Manila, a vital flood mitigation infrastructure that had been left non-operational for six years. Marcos expressed satisfaction with the progress of the facility, which forms part of the Blumentritt Interceptor System serving low-lying communities in Manila and portions of Quezon City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the rehabilitation works, which began in November, involved replacing electrical equipment, cleaning pipes, and conducting desiltation activities in the river and inside the facility to address heavy garbage accumulation. Marcos highlighted that the facility had been plagued by design flaws, causing it to clog after only five minutes of operation. However, a recent test run demonstrated a significant drop in water levels, with just one pump operating at half capacity.

With the rehabilitation, three of the four pumps are now fully operational ahead of the rainy season, while the fourth pump bay remains dedicated to gravity flow operations. The inspection provided officials with a comprehensive overview of the facility's upgraded infrastructure, covering key operational areas including intake systems, pumping operations, discharge facilities, and control systems.

Marcos was accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes, and Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso. Domagoso had previously expressed concerns about the facility's inactivity after it was found non-operational during a prior inspection by local and DPWH officials. Also present were representatives and technical personnel from LeBron Construction, Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., and Prime Metro BMD Corporation.