By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Ahead of the upcoming rainy season, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to ensure that facilities designed to protect Filipinos from rising floodwaters are running smoothly to minimize damages caused by inundation, especially during heavy downpours.
Following his recent inspection of the G. Araneta Drainage Improvement Project in Quezon City on May 20, the President welcomed the resumption of the Sunog Apog Pumping Station’s operations after undergoing major rehabilitation works that began in November 2025.
In his speech at the inspection, President Marcos Jr. outlined efforts including the replacement of electrical equipment, declogging and cleaning of pipelines, and desilting operations in nearby waterways to ensure that the facility can go online after six years of non-operation since 2020.
These improvements include the rectification of design and technical issues that kept the pump idle for several years, with the operation of even just one pump operating at 50% capacity yielding a significant reduction in water.
The Chief Executive said, “Noong in-on namin yung isang bomba pa lang… pinatakbo namin at 50 percent capacity, kitang-kita ang laki nang binaba na ng tubig. Siguro mga one foot, mga 12 inches ang binaba na kaagad ng tubig.
Mabuti naayos natin. Nagkakaproblema, nireklamo po ng tao. Tiningnan po natin, pinag-aralan natin. Ngayon, naayos na po natin.”
Joining the President during the inspection were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Romando Artes, MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III, and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
At the sidelines of the inspection, President Marcos Jr. also led the distribution of P10,000 financial aid, family food packs (FFPs), and hygiene kits to victims of a recent fire at the Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila. (with report from Clay Pardilla | PTV News)
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