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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH terminates Discaya-linked pumping station project in Quezon City

DPWH terminates Discaya-linked pumping station project in Quezon City

Published Mar 19, 2026 12:06 pm  |  Updated Mar 19, 2026 05:40 pm

At A Glance

  • DPWH terminates the contract for the P250-million Quezon City pumping station built by Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction.
  • Execution lapses and flawed planning worsened flooding, with upstream detention basins in Meycauayan, Bulacan, neglected.
  • Authorities are taking accountability measures, including replacing the district engineer and coordinating with the Ombudsman; Discaya is linked to a separate case.
  • Immediate flood mitigation in Barangay Talayan is underway, guided by Project NOAH simulations.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (center), Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Project NOAH Executive Director Mahar Lagmay inspect the unfinished P250-million pumping station atop Matalahib Creek in Quezon City, which authorities said worsened flooding in nearby communities. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (center), Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Project NOAH Executive Director Mahar Lagmay inspect the unfinished P250-million pumping station atop Matalahib Creek in Quezon City, which authorities said worsened flooding in nearby communities. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has terminated the contract for the P250-million Quezon City pumping station, built by Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction, after the unfinished structure worsened flooding in nearby communities.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said rhe execution lapses contributed to the project’s failure, adding that flawed planning, including neglecting upstream interventions such as detention basins in Meycauayan, Bulacan, worsened the impact.
“Ang dami nang dadaanang populated areas ng tubig bago makarating dito. Common sense ang iuuna ko dapat, doon, sa itaas, doon ka dapat mag-iimbak (ng tubig). Kaya nga sa master plan may detention basin na malaki sa may bandang Meycauayan (in Bulacan)… Ang tanong, bakit inuuna itong mga ito? (A large volume of water passes through populated areas before reaching here. Common sense says we should prioritize storing water upstream. That is why the master plan includes a large detention basin in Meycauayan, Bulacan. The question is, why are these downstream projects prioritized first?),” Dizon said.
The facility, left incomplete beyond its August 2025 target, blocked water flow into the San Juan River, worsening flooding instead of helping communities.
Inspections by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), along with a joint site visit with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Project NOAH Executive Director Mahar Lagmay, confirmed that the pumping station aggravated flooding rather than mitigating it.
Dizon said authorities are coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman to determine possible criminal liabilities.
He added that potential issues may involve fraud or malversation, although proving wrongdoing may be challenging.
The district engineer in charge, Arturo Gonzales Jr. of the Quezon City First District Engineering Office, has been replaced and placed on floating status.
Gonzales is also named in a plunder case linked to other allegedly anomalous flood control projects involving former senator Bong Revilla.
Authorities noted that Sarah Discaya, linked to the project, is detained over a separate flood control case in Occidental Mindoro.
Other irregular or substandard projects in Quezon City have been documented in the ICI report submitted to the Ombudsman.
While accountability measures are underway, DPWH is implementing immediate flood mitigation in Barangay Talayan ahead of the rainy season.
Options under consideration include demolishing the structure, deploying mobile pumps, or opening flood barriers, with final decisions guided by Project NOAH simulations.
Lagmay said the scientific simulations, to be completed next week, will ensure decisions are based on evidence and water physics, aiming to prevent further flooding and avoid wasting public funds.

Related Tags

Quezon City DPWH P250 million pumping station matalahib creek discaya
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