by Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday opened two new adjacent pumping stations worth PHP1.02 billion in barangays Wawang Pulo and Coloong in Valenzuela City.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar led the inauguration of the projects, which were aimed at mitigating flooding in low-lying areas.
“We implemented these projects to help in draining major areas of Valenzuela City to the Meycauayan River, easing the damages caused by frequent flooding that the residents have long been suffering from,” he said in statement.
The DPWH chief added that the pumping stations, located in the area of Valenzuela – Obando – Meycauayan (VOM), were part of the priority projects under the feasibility study on VOM Area and Drainage System Improvement Project.
The projects include six (6) submersible axial flow propeller pumps, four sets for Wawang Pulo and two for Coloong, with a capacity of 3.5 cubic meters each, generator sets, flood gates, conveyors, stop logs, gantry cranes, and one diesel storage tank, each with a capacity of 20,000 liters.
Likewise, the pumping stations have primary and secondary trash rakes that hinder garbage and other wastes from intruding into the pumps, which also helps in keeping the river clean.
It was implemented by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Flood Control Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC), headed by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain.
