City-wide flood mitigation program set on Sept 12

AFTER the month-long preparation of the City Council Committee on Public Works, chaired by Councilor Edgar G. Cabanlas, Cagayan de Oro’s task force for its flood mitigation program is all set and geared up to desilt and declog major waterways in the 1st district of the city come September 12, 2024.

The operation will start at Sapang Creek in Barangay Bulua and will continue down to other identified barangays such as Kauswagan, Carmen, Bayabas and Bonbon in the next nine days of implementation.

Councilor Malvern “Bernie” Esparcia, chair of the City Council Committee on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction, was tasked to coordinate with the City Information Office to ensure that an information dissemination be done prior the event proper; and that the office will assign a personnel to cover the implementation of the project.

He is also in-charge of streamlining communication channels to schools like Cagayan de Oro College and Liceo de Cagayan University to encourage students and teacher-volunteers to take part in the said undertaking.

Meanwhile, the city government received strong support from the Department of Public Works and Highways–City Engineering Office, Department of Environment of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fire Protection, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, Cagayan de Oro Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, construction companies like JEJOR’s and Equi-Parko, the volunteer group Hapsay Sapa Team, punong barangays and other barangay leaders.

The partners of the city will provide the needed workforce to help in cleaning while others will provide medical assistance in case of unforeseen emergencies. The contractors also pledged to provide for the equipment, gears, and materials for the said undertaking.

Meanwhile, Chairman Marlo L. Tabac of Barangay Gusa suggested for the city government to personally purchase equipment to help in the hauling of smaller conduits which cannot be reached by heavy equipment.

A memorandum, to be issued by the City Administrator’s Office, deploying at least 5 employees per department office of the city hall will also augment in this endeavor, he added.

For the long-term plan, the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office was tapped to help in the massive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to highlight the importance of communal cooperation in making Cagayan de Oro flood-free.

The program dubbed as ‘Operation Likay Baha: Kanal Limpyohan, Baha Malikayan’ by Councilor Esparcia is a brainchild initiative of Councilor Edgar Cabanlas which calls for the city government to make the drainages and canals breathe in anticipation and preparation for the rainy season.

Councilors Roger Abaday, Yevonna Yacine Emano, Jose Pepe Abbu, Aga Suan were also in attendance during the meeting. (FDCalotes)