Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manny Bonoan on Tuesday, Aug. 9, said the unfinished pumping stations for Dolomite Beach will be completed by September.

“It may take a little while, siguro ang programa namin dito ay matapos namin towards the middle or the end of September, matatapos iyan,” he shared in an interview during DZRH’s Dos por Dos.

Bonoan said the pumping station is not yet finished because the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has required them to install additional pipes.

“'Yung tatlong pumping stations na sinasabi [sa Dolomite Beach], actually operational ‘yan. Kaya lang, ni-require ng DENR, because of that requirement para hindi madumihan yung Dolomite, gusto nila na palagyan ng additional pipes na more than 350 meters para doon itapon yung maruming tubig dun malayo,” he explained.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting General Manager Baltazar Melgar said DWPH’s unfinished pumping system for the Dolomite beach project has caused the recent flooding in Manila.

Melgar claimed that three drainage systems have been closed and couldn’t discharge water to Manila Bay due to the said pumping station.

Padre Faura drainage, Remedios drainage, and Ester De San Antonio are the three drainage systems closed.

However, the Bonoan clarified that Dolomite Beach is not just their department’s project, it is a “tripartite program” of MMDA, DENR, and DPWH.

He also said there is a mandamus from the Supreme Court to protect Manila Bay.

“Meron naman tayo mandamus from Supreme Court that we should hand-in-hand protect Manila Bay. Pinagtutulung-tulungan namin, lahat na pwede naming gawin,” he said.