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[av_heading heading=’DPWH: FLOOD NOT OUR FAULT ALONE’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – A good drainage system is not enough to keep this city flood-free, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The public and private sectors have a role to play, too, City District Engineer Rodney Gustilo told Panay News.
DPWH came under fire for the flashflood that forced the suspension of classes, caused traffic congestion and stranded commuters on Monday night and Tuesday.
“Sewers are not the ultimate solution to flooding. A good drainage system is useless if people do not know how to properly use it,” said Gustilo.
He was reacting to Councilor Ely Estante’s observation that completed drainage projects of DPWH appeared ineffective in averting the flashflood although others blamed the unfinished drainage projects.
According to Gustilo, commercial businesses like fast food chains and restaurants do not have grease traps and this contributes to the frequent flooding.
A grease trap (also known as grease interceptor, grease recovery device and grease converter) is a plumbing device designed to intercept most greases and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal system.
Gustilo said high-viscosity fats and cooking greases such as lard solidify when cooled, and can combine with other disposed solids to form blockages in the drainage system.
“The drainage system is supposed to cater to run-off water only and not wastes from the kitchens of these commercial establishments,” he stressed.
Gustilo said he already asked the city government to require commercial establishments to have grease traps.
The rampant throwing of garbage into sewers also contributes to the frequent flooding, said Gustilo.
“We have coordinated with the barangay captains on this. They have to constantly remind their residents not to thrown anything into the drainage system. Garbage blocks the flow of water,” said Gustilo.
But the engineer acknowledged that DPWH contractors building sewers may also be at fault. Some may have failed to remove the scaffoldings they used during construction, he said.
“Before we pay for the project, we open the manhole to make sure nga ang mga pormas or mga coco lumber nga gin gamit sang contractors nakuha kay ti, nagasupon na siya didto sa drainage nga gin himo,” he said.
Areas frequently visited by flashfloods are Huervana Street in La Paz district (in front of the La Paz police station), Commission Civil Street in Jaro district (including Iloilo Science and Technology University), Timawa Avenue in Molo district (from West Timawa to the corner of Flying V gas station), in Barangay Katilingban, Molo district, and Barangay Hibao-an Sur and Hibao-an Norte in Mandurriao district./PN
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