CLOGGED WATERWAYS. Residents in Casili, Laoag City help in removing water hyacinth and other debris that clogged the creek in said barangay on Tuesday (Sept. 3, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Roshell Ramos)
LAOAG CITY -- Hundreds of residents under the cash for work program of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte are working double time to remove water hyacinth, plastic wastes, and other debris that have clogged creeks and open waterways in the city.
Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon on Monday said the massive cleanup operation is being conducted jointly with the provincial government as anti-flood measure this rainy season.
As rains triggered by last week’s Tropical Storm Ineng submerged areas in Laoag City that had never suffered floods before, Keon said the city government will focus on flood control measures.
“The exit point of Padsan River has become small. So, we will tackle it immediately and the city and province will work together on this,” said Keon after Monday's joint flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol.
According to Estrella Sacro, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), said Barangay Ranger Officers in the province and at least 20 each from the 80 barangays in the city have been deployed to help in the cleanup operation of all water tributaries in the city.
On Tuesday, the group was in Dibua south clearing a creek clogged by water hyacinth and some plastic materials and bottles.
Since Thursday last week, the ENRO along with other government and non-government organizations continue to undertake preemptive anti-flood measure in the entire province.
Sacro also appealed to residents to dispose of their garbage properly and refrain from throwing them in water tributaries.
Based on a 2008 geohazard study conducted by the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB), there is a need to dredge the Laoag River to induce water flow into the sea and reduce riverbank erosion and flooding.
The MGB has also recommended to the local governments concerned that settlement shall be avoided at the foot of mountains, areas immediately adjacent to river channels, near canyons, and gullies transecting upland areas. (PNA)
