- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Public Works and Highways Bacolod District Engineering Office has been asked to conduct dredging and desilting of the Magsungay and Lupit rivers, as one way to prevent flooding in the highly-urbanized city.
Councilor Simplicia Distrito said that Magsungay and Lupit rivers pass through several barangays, like Taculing, 39, 36, Alijis, Singcang-Airport, and Tangub.
During heavy rains, these barangays would sometimes experience flooding due to the rapid rise of water in the two rivers, with Singcang-Airport severely affected since this is where the two rivers ultimately meet.
Distrito said that since the rainy season has started, it is inevitable that the water levels in these rivers will rise due to heavy downpour.
“Contributing also to the rapid rise of the water levels in these rivers are the wastes that are indiscriminately thrown, which clog and build up in the riverbeds over time, reducing their holding capacities,” she said, hence the request to the DPWH.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod approved Distrito’s resolution recently. “It is necessary at this point that the city government, in coordination with concerned agencies such as the DPWH, implements measures to minimize and to initiate sustainable solution to address this worsening situation.”
The SP stressed the need to conduct desilting and dredging activities on these rivers to prevent damages and casualties, and “allay the fears and worries of our constituents prior to the formulation and implementation of a more stable, sustainable and safer solution” against flooding./CGC
