DPWH issues show-cause order to Manila engineer for non-operational Sunog Apog Pumping Station
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- DPWH issues show-cause order to Manila district engineer over Sunog Apog Pumping Station.
- Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the site with ICI Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso.
- Facility has remained non-operational since its 2020 completion despite full payment.
- Issues include worsened flooding, missing permits and power connection, and unresolved upgrade proposals.
- District engineer given five days to submit a written explanation.
Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Manila remains non-operational since its 2020 completion, prompting DPWH to issue a show-cause order to the city engineer. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday, Sept. 26, directed the North Manila District Engineering Office to explain alleged irregularities at the Sunog Apog Pumping Station Flood Control Project.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon issued the show-cause order after inspecting the site on Wednesday with Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, noting the project has remained non-operational since its 2020 completion despite full payment.
A department memorandum highlighted key issues, including the facility’s failure to mitigate flooding, reportedly worsening water levels in surrounding areas, and the lack of required building permits and power connections, which prevented energization by Meralco.
It also cited the initiation of a P94 million upgrading project with proposals for an additional P200 million despite unresolved defects, and poor coordination with the City Government of Manila during planning and implementation.
“These circumstances, if left unexplained, may constitute gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, inefficiency, and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, in violation of civil service laws, rules, and regulations,” the DPWH memorandum read.
The Manila district engineer was given five days to submit a written explanation, while repair works have been suspended pending verification that the facility has not been operational since 2017.