• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 3,000 individuals are joining the massive clean-up drive in the waterways of Bacolod City starting Thursday, Nov. 27, two days after flash floods hit most of the barangays in the city due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Depression Verbena.
Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Wednesday the massive clean-up drive is expected to last for 10 days.
The workers are entitled to a daily minimum wage under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Payment for their wages were turned over by DOLE to the barangay captains after the beneficiaries attended an orientation seminar, following Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Local Government Unit alignment meeting for “Oplan Kontra Baha” at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center.
Benitez said they need 100 units of heavy equipment for the cleaning and clearing of rivers and creeks, which he will request from the private sector aside from the assistance provided by his office.
In a briefing, DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima identified the challenges in the “Oplan Kontra Baha” campaign in Bacolod City such as clogged drainage and poor stormwater flow, silted and reduced flow of waterways, infrastructure blockages along water ways, and poor waste management.
Mayor Greg Gasataya requested the DPWH to fast track the completion of the water diversion channel and to repair the destroyed riprap and floodwall in major rivers, especially along the Lupit and Singcang-Airport areas, following massive flooding on Tuesday.
Notices to vacate for 80 families, whose residences are sitting on top of waterways, were also issued.
They were given 30 days to vacate the area as the city government finalizes a relocation site for them, Gasataya said.
The Oplan Kontra Baha is a multi-sectoral partnership that aims to reduce siltation in major waterways to restore water flow capacity to mitigate flooding.
It involves de-clogging drainage systems, dredging and cleaning waterways, clearing obstructions, and managing waste to be undertaken within nine months, according to Malacañang.
Composed of 15 government agencies, the DPWH is leading the project’s implementation in coordination with partners from the public and private sectors. | GB
