Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday the government is rushing the restoration of the damaged floodgate at the Paco Pumping Station in Manila, which was rendered inoperable after Typhoon Uwan hit parts of the country earlier this week.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Dizon said the floodgate at the Estero de Paco collapsed after being bent by the strong surge of the Pasig River during the typhoon’s onslaught early Monday.
“Nasira yung floodgate kasi nayupi dahil sa Bagyong Uwan noong Linggo at madaling araw ng Lunes, so bumigay yung gate mismo at dahil doon hindi na magamit ang pumping station natin sa Estero de Paco,” Dizon said.
(The floodgate was damaged and bent due to Typhoon Uwan early Monday, so the gate gave way and the pumping station in Estero de Paco could not be used.)
The repair, he added, will be covered under the project’s warranty period.
“Pasok pa tayo sa warranty period… 14 days ang hinigi nila para gumawa ng remedyo para maayos. Pero meron din three months lang para mapatibay pa lalo ang floodgate para kayanin na kahit magkakas na bagyo tulad ng Uwan,” he said.
(We’re still within the warranty period. They asked for 14 days for repairs, and within three months, the floodgate will be reinforced to withstand stronger typhoons like Uwan.)
To prevent flooding in nearby communities while the repair is ongoing, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has sought the help of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to deploy mobile pumps to three affected barangays in Paco.
“Habang inaayos po yan… may mobile pump ang MMDA na mag-aalis ng tubig papunta sa Estero para hindi mahirapan ang mga kababayan natin sa Paco,” he added.
(While repairs are being made, MMDA will use mobile pumps to remove floodwater so residents won’t suffer further.)
DPWH to sue contractor for damaging Navotas seawall
In the same interview, Dizon said the DPWH will file charges against construction firm Hi-Tone for damaging a seawall in Navotas City after one of its barges hit the structure during a recent storm.
“Mayroon gap na nabutas sa seawall sa Manila Bay… nasira ng barge ng isang kontratista, yung Hi-Tone, ang construction company ng kapatid ni former congressman Zaldy Co,” he said.
(There’s a hole in the Manila Bay seawall that was damaged by a barge belonging to Hi-Tone, the company owned by the brother of former Congressman Zaldy Co.)
He said the barge, which was carrying dredging equipment, struck the seawall months ago, but the firm has yet to repair the damage.
“Apat na buwan na nakalipas hindi pa niya pinapagawa… Kaya sabi ko sa congressman at mayor, DPWH na magpapagawa pero kakasuhan na lang namin si Hi-Tone,” Dizon said.
(It’s been four months and they haven’t fixed it. I told the local officials DPWH will do the repair, but we’ll sue Hi-Tone and make them pay back the cost.)
The DPWH chief said repairs in Navotas will begin “as soon as possible” within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Dizon assured that the Navotas floodgate itself remains functional and was not damaged by Typhoon Uwan.
Dizon also reported that clearing operations are ongoing in areas affected by the typhoon, with some roads now passable to light vehicles. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
