By Verna Santos & Jason Estrada
CITY OF MALOLOS – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. agreed as Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando recommended additional water reservoirs and water impounding areas in the Province of Bulacan as one of the long-term solutions eyed by the Provincial Government of Bulacan to mitigate flooding occurrences in the province during the Situation Briefing with Select Regional Line Agencies at the Mariano Ponce Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center on Monday (Aug. 7).
Fernando proposed additional water reservoirs and water-impounding areas in the lowlands as some of the PGB’s ways forward aside from its emergency response to dredge rivers and creeks.
“Aside from the Bayabas Reservoir, we respectfully recommend the additional water reservoir situated on the higher grounds. And as an additional precaution, we also recommend the construction of water-impounding areas similar to the La Mesa Dam. This is to hold the excess water coming from the uplands to avoid overflowing of rivers that might cause flooding. Moreso, the collected waters from the impounding areas can be used latter easily for irrigation purposes,” the governor said.
PBBM agreed to the recommendations and said that Fernando’s proposed long-term solutions for the province matches with the plans of the national government.
“Itong dredging, iyan ang emergecy response natin so kailangan pa rin talaga gawin para at least lumalim ng kaunti ‘yong ilog. But it is not a permanent solution dahil babalik din ‘yong siltation eh. But I think you have identified the better way, the water reservoirs and water impounding areas in the low lands. Iyon ang aming talagang pinaplano,” PBBM said.
In his report to the President, Fernando first identified the main triggering factors that caused massive flooding in the province which includes urbanization and construction of private infrastructure; saturated land due to extensive downpour of rains; lack of masterplan and design in the construction of drainages; and ongoing construction of Manila North Rail Transit.
The governor also reported the current status of various sectors in Bulacan wherein a grand total of P768,671,475 worth of damages were reported on agriculture, fisheries, livestock, poultry, and infrastructure due to flooding and the onslaught of the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Typhoons Egay and Falcon.
Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro also called the attention of the Philippine National Railway regarding the ongoing construction of the PNR Line in the province that contributed to the prolonged flooding in the towns of Marilao, Santa Maria, and other areas since the construction blocked some of the drainage systems in the province.
In relation to this, PBBM also pushes for the creation of Water Resources Management Office under the Office of the President which will be tasked to provide leadership in the conservation and judicious use of water as vital agricultural resources in the upland farming communities. (UnliNews Online)
