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TWENTEETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1168
of tljf -.vctsi-p
25 AUG 11 P12S9
RECEIVED BY:
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 operationai expertise and direct presence in Metro Maniia, 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.1 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.2 JICA projected that this could reach 
P5.4 billion a day by 2035 if no interventions are made.3 One of World Bank's 
recommendation to effectively manage major flood events in the future is to 
modernize Metro Manila's existing pumping stations4, 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.
4 World Bank (September 29, 2017). "Project Highlights: Metro Manila Flood Management." Information 
retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/countrv/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 MM DA, 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.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
©eiuue
tBfUe^ of tlir *p:r rfarp
25 AUG 11 PI2 59
RECEDED 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
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "MMDA Pumping Station
2 
Rehabilitation and Management Act of2025".
3 
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
7 
rehabilitation and maintenance of pumping stations to the Metropolitan Manila
8 
Development Authority (MMDA), thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of flood
9 
mitigation efforts in Metro Manila.
10 
Sec. 3. Designation of MMDA as Lead Agency. - The Metropolitan Manila
11 
Development Authority (MMDA) is hereby designated as the primary agency
12 
responsible for the rehabilitation, upgrading, and maintenance of all pumping stations
13 
within its territorial jurisdiction.


1 
Sec. 4. Powers and Functions ofMMDA. -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
6 
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.
12 
Sec. 5. Transfer of Functions, Assets and Records. -The Department of Public
13 
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall transfer all responsibility, records, and relevant
14 
assets pertaining to the rehabilitation of pumping stations under the jurisdiction of
15 
MMDA within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
16 
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.
22 
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
25 
other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
26 
regulations (IRR).
27 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application
28 
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.


1 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, proclamations, issuances, or
2 
ordinances that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
3 
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,