ILOILO City – A gigantic water impounding facility similar to Taguig City in Metro Manila could solve this city’s frequent flood problem, according to Councilor Joshua Alim.
The drainage rehabilitation and improvement projects of the city government and Department of Public Works and Highways were not working, he lamented.
“Na-annoy ako todo-todo. Lantay-lantay plano sang drainage asta subong baha man gihapon (It’s exasperating. We have all these drainage plans but we still have floods),” said Alim.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently passed a resolution seeking the help of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on the city’s flooding problem. Alim sponsored it.
He said a water impounding facility would require considerable government funds and NEDA’s help would be necessary.
The water impounding facility may cost over P50 million, said Alim.
Beneath Taguig’s Burgos Circle at Fort Bonifacio, according to Alim, is a five-storey deep water catchment and during heavy rains, floodwater is impounded there.
The water is later pumped out into Manila Bay, he said.
This scheme has solved the frequent flooding in Taguig and DPWH and the City Engineer’s Office would do well to consider this, too, for Iloilo City, said Alim.
“If Taguig City can do it, Iloilo City, can, too. Yes, they spent millions. If the city government of Iloilo don’t have the money, amat-amaton lang. I-identify ang pinakabaha nga area kag mabutang kita sang makaya ta. For example, unahon ang City Proper,” said Alim./PN
