Manila Rep. Rolan Valeriano has urged Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to hold accountable those responsible for the non-operational ₱774-million Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila.
The project, which began in 2017, remains idle despite full payment to contractors.
Valeriano thanked Dizon for inspecting the facility and called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Committee on Infrastructure (ICI) to ensure proper repairs and file charges against erring officials and contractors. He noted that residents have long suffered from flooding due to the defective project.
The lawmaker said a House probe in 2023 revealed that DPWH contractors MSB Vitug and J.D. Legaspi Construction received full payment despite the facility’s flaws. He added that the mandate to recover funds and pursue charges now rests with the DPWH and ICI.
Valeriano also questioned whether the contractors have been blacklisted, noting that a new ₱94-million contract has been awarded to another firm to fix the same facility. He warned that taxpayers’ money would again be used to correct past mistakes.
