Manila 2nd District Representative Rolan Valeriano urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. not to dismantle the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), warning it could derail the investigation into the failed Sunog Apog pumping station in Tondo.
The ₱774-million flood control project, started in 2017 and fully paid before Valeriano assumed office in 2019, never functioned despite its cost.
“Nung 2019 ako nanalo, June 30, bago ako mag-assume ng office, binayaran na nila ng buo yan kahit hindi pa tapos,” he said, tagging former Manila 2nd District Representative Carlo Lopez as the project’s proponent.
Inspections last September by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, former ICI adviser Benjamin Magalong, and then-Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso declared the facility dysfunctional.
“Kung tatanggalin po yung ICI kaagad, baka maputol yung investigation nila. Sayang naman po sinimulan nung investigation,” Valeriano stressed.
He added that contractors failed to honor the five-year warranty, leaving the station defective.
“Ayaw balikan ‘yan ng mga contractor. Siguro because of the five-year warranty, sila yung magbabayad,” he said, noting the MMDA refused turnover due to defects.
Valeriano warned repairs could cost another ₱200 million.
“So definitely, meron ng mga dokumentong nakuha ang ICI dyan. At kung bigla naman pong bubuwagin, baka ma-whitewash lang o baka mawala yung kaso na yan,” he said.