Pumping stations dotted across the National Capital Region (NCR) are ready and at “100 percent” capacity for the coming rainy season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Tuesday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, MMDA chair Romando Artes said the declogging and cleanup of estero and canals are ongoing and pumping stations are in good condition with “sufficient” stock of gasoline to ensure their continued operation.

Artes said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is in the process of building new pumping stations and rehabilitating 10 existing ones.

“Pagkatapos po tumingin ng DPWH ng mga pumping stations na bago, itu-turn over po ‘yan para i-operate ng MMDA (After the DPWH completes these new pumping stations, they will be turned over to the MMDA for their operation),” he said.

To date, he said the MMDA is focusing on flood reduction efforts in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela City — or the Camanava area — as these are low-lying areas and experience flooding during both high and low tide scenarios.

“Nagkaroon po tayo ng problema doon sa ating floodgate sa Malabon-Navotas river pero ito po ay nagawa na (We had a problem with the floodgate in the Malabon-Navotas river but this has since been fixed),” he said.

He said the floodgate was repaired ahead of schedule and was finished on Monday, with seven barangays in Malabon having been affected by the incident.

“Nagawa na po ‘yong floodgate, so, naisara na po at ine-expect po natin na bababa na po ‘yung tubig-baha na nae-experience ng ating mga kababayan diyan sa Malabon at Navotas (We have fixed the floodgate, has been closed and we expect that flood levels will go down for our citizens in Malabon and Navotas),” he said. (PNA)