Mmda Pumping Station Rehabilitation and Management Act of 2025

Stiale Offier of the Betictate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 11 P12:59 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1168 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT DESIGNATING THE METROPOLITAN MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MMDA) AS THE PRIMARY AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUMPING STATIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION, TRANSFERRING SAID FUNCTION, RELATED ASSETS AND RECORDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) currently holds the mandate and budget for the rehabilitation works of pumping stations, while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is the agency on the ground and ensures the functionality and efficiency of the pumping stations in mitigating the floods within Metro Manila. This arrangement creates significant operational inefficiencies as two government agencies have to deal with the pumping stations when it can be tasked to a single agency. The MMDA is more familiar with the condition of pumping stations under its jurisdiction, thus, should have the authority of initiating rehabilitation works when it deems necessary. The current bureaucratic set-up could lead to delays, reducing the efficiency and capacity of critical flood control infrastructure during heavy rainfall. By transferring this function, along with the corresponding assets, records, and funding, to the MMDA, this bill seeks to establish a unified and accountable system.

The MMDA, with its operational expertise and direct presence in Metro Manila, is better equipped to implement a proactive and responsive strategy for the rehabilitation and maintenance of pumping stations, thereby enhancing the overall flood mitigation effort. The recent floodings in Metro Manila underscore the urgent need for this legislative action. In July 2025, a series of powerful tropical storms - Crising, Dante, and Emong - combined with the monsoon season, caused widespread flooding in many areas of the country. In Metro Manila specifically, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 1,299,424 persons were affected while two were confirmed casualties.' Flooding is a regularly recurring problem in Metro Manila and it causes inundation of roads, exacerbate traffic congestion, and destroy the lives, infrastructure and livelihood of people, especially the poor. It also causes significant non-economic losses, including trauma, disruption of community networks, and interruption of children's education. In 2018, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimated that the cost of transportation in Metro Manila goes as high as P2.4 billion per day in wasted gasoline and lost productivity due to traffic delays and this goes higher because of heavier traffic conditions during typhoon season.? JICA projected that this could reach P5.4 billion a day by 2035 if no interventions are made. One of World Bank's recommendation to effectively manage major flood events in the future is to modernize Metro Manila's existing pumping stations*, which are under the MMDA'S jurisdiction. This bill, therefore, is a necessary legislative intervention to empower the MMDA to effectively manage, upgrade, and rehabilitate the pumping stations under 1 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (August 9, 2025). "Situational Report No. 41 for the Combined Effects of Southwest Monsoon and TCs CRISING, DANTE, and EMONG (2025)". Information retrieved from https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/4293/Situational_Report_No_41_for_the_Combined_Effects_of_Southwest_Monsoon _and_TCs_CRISING_DANTE_and_EMONG_2025.pdf 2 JICA Annual Report 2019 3 ibid. * World Bank (September 29, 2017). "Project Highlights: Metro Manila Flood Management." Information retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/brief/project-highlights-metro-manila- flood-management

its jurisdiction, which are a vital line of defense against the devastating effects of flooding. By consolidating authority and resources in MMDA, it aims to create a more resilient and sustainable flood management system for Metro Manila. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO

Senate Office of the Sewetaup TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 11 P12:59 First Regular Session RECEIVED 87: SENATE S. No. 1168 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT DESIGNATING THE METROPOLITAN MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MMDA) AS THE PRIMARY AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUMPING STATIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION, TRANSFERRING SAID FUNCTION, RELATED ASSETS AND RECORDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "MMDA Pumping Station

2 Rehabilitation and Management Act of 2025".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 protect the people's constitutional right to life and property from the adverse impacts 5 of flooding, especially in highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila. To achieve this, 6 the State recognizes the necessity to consolidate the responsibility for the rehabilitation and maintenance of pumping stations to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts in Metro Manila.

Sec. 3. Designation of MMDA as Lead Agency, - The Metropolitan Manila

Development Authority (MMDA) is hereby designated as the primary agency responsible for the rehabilitation, upgrading, and maintenance of all pumping stations within its territorial jurisdiction.

Sec. 4. Powers and Functions of MMDA. - The MMDA shall have the following

2 powers and functions: 3 a. Conduct assessments and inventories of all existing pumping stations within Metro 4 Manila; 5 b. Develop and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation and modernization program for pumping stations; 7 C. Undertake procurement, civil works, and system upgrades, including equipment 8 replacement and retrofitting; 9 d. Monitor the operational efficiency of rehabilitated pumping stations; and 10 e. Perform such other acts as may be necessary for the full implementation of this 11 Act.

Sec. 5. Transfer of Functions, Assets and Records. - The Department of Public

Works and Highways (DPWH) shall transfer all responsibility, records, and relevant assets pertaining to the rehabilitation of pumping stations under the jurisdiction of MMDA within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The initial appropriations for the implementation of

17 this Act shall be sourced from the cost allocation being used by DPWH in the 18 rehabilitation of pumping stations under the jurisdiction of the MMDA. Thereafter, 19 such sums as may be necessary for the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of 20 pumping stations shall be included in the MMDA's annual budget under the General 21 Appropriations Act.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

23 the effectivity of this Act, the MMDA, in coordination with the Department of Budget 24 and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application

thereof to any persons or circumstances shall be held unconstitutional, the remainder 29 of this Act and the application of such provisions to other persons and circumstances 30 not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, proclamations, issuances, or

ordinances that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. Approved, (y)