The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is undertaking the full upgrade of 31 pumping stations in Metro Manila by 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the capital’s flood control system.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said nearly half of the pumping stations have already been upgraded through a World Bank-assisted program.

He said the initiative aims to improve the discharge capacity of aging infrastructure, many of which have been operating for over three decades.

“These pumping stations were not designed for today’s rainfall patterns,” Bonoan said, emphasizing the urgency of modernizing flood control systems amid more frequent and intense weather disturbances linked to climate change.

While the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) leads flood control efforts in the region, the DPWH is providing essential engineering and technical support, particularly in the modernization of critical infrastructure.

Bonoan noted that the efficiency of the pumping stations is often hampered by deteriorating drainage systems and clogged waterways that obstruct the flow of floodwaters.

He said many drainage lines across Metro Manila are more than 50 years old and need to be rehabilitated or replaced to meet the demands of rapid urbanization and extreme weather conditions.

“The problem is not just the stations. Floodwaters must first pass through drainage channels that are often blocked or too old to function efficiently,” he added.

To complement the pumping station upgrades, the DPWH is implementing the Pasig-Marikina River Basin Flood Control Program, which involves building retarding basins in San Mateo, Rizal, and installing floodgates to divert excess water to Laguna Lake.

Long-term measures are also being pursued, including the proposed construction of dams in the upper Sierra Madre to regulate the flow of floodwaters into the Pasig-Marikina river system, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Bonoan acknowledged that delays in fund releases can sometimes affect project timelines but assured that implementation resumes immediately once funding is available and weather conditions permit.

“Once the funding is available and weather conditions are favorable, we proceed without delay, because postponing roadworks will only lead to greater damage and higher costs,” he said.