Taking lessons from what happened in Metro Manila and other areas in the country because of the typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, Mayor Garcia stressed out the urgent need for the city government to pay concentration to the flooding problems here, especially because the country is frequently hammered by typhoons due to climate change.

Garcia mentioned the five coastal villages here with regular flooding problems: Puerto Rivas Itaas, Puerto Rivas Ibaba, Puerto Rivas Lote, Tortugas and Sibacan.

The city government already formed a task force on flooding and drainage to focus on the problem and implement solutions. Task force members come from the Sangguniang Panglungsod, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the provincial engineering office, the city engineering office, barangay governments and local communities.

According to the city consultant, Billy Santos, the said task force already conducted a series of consultations with the residents of the villages mentioned above.

With the consultations, the residents recommend the widening of drainage systems and dredging of main tributaries. The natural waterways will also be regularly maintained.

And with this, the provincial engineering and city engineering office, are working double time to finish evaluating the city drainage systems to immediately start its upgrade.

With this kind of preparation and through the help of people on proper waste disposal, we prevent such calamities to totally ruin us. [via businessmirror.com.ph]