Third district officials discuss flood control

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Mayors Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona, Neil Lizares of Talisay City and Mark Golez of Silay City during their consultative meeting in Talisay City. | Silay City LGU

Top provincial government officials, mayors of local government units and representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways met Thursday (Jan. 7), six days after floods triggered by the Jan. 1 downpour in the Third District of Negros Occidental.

The consultative meeting was held at Nature’s Village in Talisay City.

The massive flooding hit low-lying villages, affecting more than 15,000 families, particularly those living near rivers and major waterways.

The consultative meeting, initiated by Third District Rep. Francisco Benitez, included, among others, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices of affected local government units  – Talisay City, Silay City, E.B. Magalona, and Victorias City.

Among the suggestions proposed to address the perennial flooding problem in the district are sustainable dredging program to cover major waterways and the need for the DPWH to introduce flood control projects to prevent the occurrence of similar flashfloods in the future.

Benitez’s office’s said it gathered the mayors to present scenarios and suggest solutions in the presence of Lacson and representatives from the DPWH and the DENR.

Present were Mayors Neil Lizares of Talisay City, Mark Golez of Silay City, Marvin Malacon of  E.B. Magalona, and Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City with their respective DRRMO heads, who presented flood day scenarios and the actions taken by the LGUs.

Benitez cited that the high tide, coupled with heavy rainfall and clogged waterways, triggered the water levels to rise at a fast pace.

The solon said he supports the immediate move to dredge the mouths of the rivers in all LGUs of the district to ease the flow of the water during high tide.

He also raised the proposed creation of an embankment system which has been under discussion with the Office of the Governor.

He said that the plan will help control the flow of water from the mountains, he said.

Another move was to strictly monitor the encroachment of settlers along river banks, Benitez said.

Proper waste disposal is the least the residents can contribute to help solve the flooding problem, he added.

He also saw the need to review the DPWH flood control projects, including structure designs, and improve the same when necessary.

Engr. Jaime Javellana, who represented the DPWH, asked LGU participants for an integrated master plan for all water tributaries in the district which the agency needs before it can introduce future flood control projects.

Lacson challenged the mayors to acquire their own dredger for sustainable flood control action. He promised support to Victorias City which plans to purchase one dredger unit within the year. – MML