City-wide declogging, desilting efforts eyed to prevent flooding

The Committee on Public Works, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, convened yesterday to strategize on the city's plan to declog and desilt major waterways, canals, and drainage systems in anticipation of the heavy rains expected from October to December this year.

Marlon Tabac, barangay chair of Gusa and Vice President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, expressed support for the plan by including it in the agenda of their upcoming Liga ng mga Barangay Assembly on August 2, Friday, at the Grand City Hotel, where all barangay chairs may be asked to submit a list of flood-prone areas in their respective barangays.

He also recommended that the committee invite representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the City Engineering Office (CEO) to attend the said event.

For his part, Councilor Cabanlas said a timetable and a master plan have to be set. He emphasized that the CEO must prepare its personnel and equipment for the simultaneous, city-wide declogging and desilting operations.

Councilor Yvy Emano, who was also present at the meeting, suggested to revisit the comprehensive drainage system plan of the city while stressing the need for regular declogging and desilting to ensure the city’s preparedness when calamity hits the city.

The lady councilor further proposed involving the Committees on Environment and on Education in the discussions, pointing out that the wanton throwing of garbage into the canals significantly causes flooding. She called for an information dissemination campaign to educate the public on proper waste management practices.

According to Emano, educating the public would have a long-term impact than the annual clean-up operations alone.

With this, the committee, also joined by Councilors Aga Suan and Bernie Esparcia, recommended for another meeting with all concerned committees and offices to further discuss the plan.