The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Regional Office V is working double time to finish the Tibu Pumping Station, a part of Legazpi City Urban Drainage Improvement Project by September 2015.
The project, with a total cost of P335 Million was started in 2013 with an allocation of P150 Million from the General Appropriation Act (GAA) of CY 2012; P135 Million in CY 2013; and,P50 Million in CY 2014. Works include the provision of electro-mechanical works, electrical works, powerhouse structure, pumping station structure, flood gate structure, discharge channel, land development, apron extension, RC retaining wall, perimeter fence, bridge approaches, main gate, and stone masonry.
Tibu Pumping Station will be operational with three (3) pumps: Pump No. 1 will operate at 1.8 m. water level; Pump No. 2 will be activated if water level will not subside below 1.55 m. after 20 to 30 minutes operation; and Pump No. 3 will serve as back-up and will operate only when necessary.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson in a recently conducted project inspection, suggested to Legazpi City Mayor Honorable Noel E. Rosal to enact an ordinance that will require subdivision developers to construct their own retarding basins so as not to directly discharge their storm drains to existing road canals/drainage. This way, the road drainage will not be overloaded during peak run-off period, hence, avoid flooding on the road.
According to Secretary Singson, this move will also reduce downstream flooding during rainy season by detaining the water then pumping it out later at regulated rate of flow to nearby rivers and tributaries.
DPWH Bicol Region Director Melvin B. Navarro said that construction of two (2) more pumping stations in Legazpi: Baybay Pumping Station and Victory Pumping Station is also being undertaken by the regional office.
“We are going to take advantage this summer season to complete the construction of these Pumping Stations and all the components of the Legazpi City Urban Drainage Project and we are hopeful that the weather will cooperate with us,” Navarro added.
It will be recalled that Bicol Region experienced unworkable weather condition on the last quarter of 2014 until the early part of 2015. Port congestion in the National Capital Region was also contributory to project delay due to the non-delivery of machines/equipment.