NCR’s largest pumping station damaged by tons of trash

The Tripa de Gallina, the largest pumping station in the National Capital Region (NCR), was damaged by tons of garbage during continuous rains brought about by Tropical Storm Jolina on Wednesday.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras,” around 2 tons of trash were estimated to have been collected from the pumping station.

“Nabawasan ‘yung capacity ng pumps namin. Pag may basura, halos 80% na lang ‘ang napa-pump namin na tubig. Ang epekto po noon, mabilis tayo mataasan ng tubig,” plant engineer Allan Tubao said.

With the huge volume of garbage, the trash rake of Tripa de Gallina was destroyed.

To make it operational again, the special team of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority dived under the sewage water to check the pumping station.

“Nung bago ako turuan, hindi ako sanay, pag ano ko nito, mabibitawan ko, makakainom ka kasi hihinga ka, eh,” Gary Makiling, a diver, said.

Makiling said he had gotten used to the large amount of garbage as he has encountered the same problem in the past five years.

“‘Yung amoy, kapit sa katawan lalo na kapag may na-ano pa diyan na ano, ‘yung hindi masasabi na galing sa tao,” he said.

He said clumps of trash below the sewage water blocked the trash rake and caused it to malfunction.

At least 67 tons of trash were collected from all the pumping stations in NCR. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News