BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Dredging of rivers and water tributaries in low-lying and catch-basin areas will ease the perennial flooding in Negros Occidental.
This was the assessment of the provincial government’s Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), citing heavily silted creeks and tributaries in the province, especially in the 3rd District.
“There is a need to clear waterways to prevent flooding. A hydrologic study is also needed to find out the state of our waterways,” PDMPD chief Dr. Zephard Gerhart Caelian.
He will forward his recommendation to dredge the rivers of Malogo, Bago, Ilog-Hilabangan, and Himogaan to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Caelian is likewise proposing to install rain gauges upstream of these river systems to give local government units (LGUs) early warning whenever downstream water rises from the mountain areas.
The PDMPD chief intends to discuss these concerns with DPWH-6’s Director Lea Delfinado, who will be in Negros Occidental on Friday.
Edgardo Rostato, provincial environment and natural resources officer, asked Caelian for details of the flooding.
“I will coordinate with him to look into the angle that quarries located along the rivers may have triggered the flooding on New Year’s Day,” he said.
Data released by the Negros Occidental Provincial Command Center showed that floods were monitored in cities of Victorias, Silay and Talisay, and E.B. Magalona town, all located in the third district.
The fatality was reported in Victorias City, but there were no details yet on the identity of the person.
In the said city, some 8,976 families in 17 barangays experienced flooding in the early hours on Jan. 1.
A total of 37 houses were washed out or totally damaged, while 127 others were partially damaged./PN
