Photo credit: DPWH

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the Padre Faura Pumping Station along Roxas Boulevard after discovering that the facility had been out of service for nearly a year, leaving the area dependent on only two temporary pumps during the rainy season.

The prolonged malfunction has contributed to slower floodwater drainage in parts of Manila, causing inconvenience to students, residents, motorists, and commuters whenever heavy rains hit the city.

Dizon's inspection comes as the government intensifies efforts to address flooding in Metro Manila following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure that all pumping stations in the capital are fully operational. The President has emphasized the need for faster floodwater management, particularly as the country enters the height of the rainy season.

During the site visit, Dizon expressed optimism that the rehabilitation of the pumping station would significantly improve drainage in several flood-prone areas once completed.

"Hopefully, when all of this is finished, flooding will be reduced all the way to Taft Avenue, P. Ocampo, Malate, Kalaw, and P. Faura. At the very least, if flooding occurs, the water will recede much faster because it can be pumped out quickly," he said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expects the Padre Faura Pumping Station to become fully operational within the first week of July.

Officials believe the restored facility will help speed up floodwater removal in surrounding communities, offering relief to thousands of people who regularly deal with flooded roads and disrupted travel during periods of heavy rainfall.

The project forms part of the government's broader flood mitigation efforts aimed at improving urban drainage systems and strengthening Metro Manila's resilience against increasingly frequent downpours.