STO. TOMAS, Pampanga — Municipal officials in Sto. Tomas have ordered the temporary suspension of a portion of the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension Project after construction activities allegedly damaged a drainage pipe, triggering flooding in two nearby villages.
Mayor John Sambo said he issued the stoppage order following reports that damaged drainage infrastructure caused floodwaters to inundate Barangays Moras Dela Paz and San Matias.
“We have temporarily stopped the construction because a drainage canal pipe was damaged, causing flooding in Barangay Moras Dela Paz and Barangay San Matias. The issue must first be resolved before the project can continue,” Sambo said.
In a June 29 letter, the mayor’s office directed the project’s contractor to immediately halt construction until a Notice to Resume Work is issued. The contractor was also instructed to coordinate with the implementing office to address the damaged drainage system and carry out mitigation measures during the suspension.
The mayor said the local government supports the railway project but emphasized that infrastructure development should not compromise public safety or expose communities to avoidable flooding.
As of Thursday, the contractor and the project’s implementing agency had not publicly responded to the suspension order or the allegations regarding the damaged drainage facilities. Local officials said construction will remain suspended until the flooding concerns are resolved.