FLASH FLOODS. Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog during the 35th founding anniversary celebration of the Cordillera region. Dalipog said Tuesday (July 19, 2022) that the construction and improvement of the drainage canals and waterways in Banaue could address flooding in the area. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog said the continuous improvement of the waterways could address the perennial flash flood problem in the province every rainy season.
"Flash flood in Banaue is not unusual because in Banaue, this month until December, Ifugao receives heavy rains," Dalipog, who was the former mayor of Banaue, said in an interview on Tuesday.
He blamed the flash flood on drainage canals that get clogged with mud when the mountain’s side slopes erode during heavy rains.
The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier noted that based on its rainfall record, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration placed Banaue under Yellow Alert after the town received 110 mm. of rainfall from July 2 to 6, days before a flash flood hit six barangays on July 7.
"The rice terraces at Poblacion and Viewpoint eroded and went to the creeks. From there, it went to the cross drainage of the national highway," Dalipog said.
He said the mud-filled drainage caused rainwater to overflow and triggered a flash flood strong enough that it washed away parked vehicles.
Contributing to the soil erosion was the ongoing road repair work from Barangay Tam-an to Poblacion.
Dalipog said the town's canals should be unclogged and additional drainage should be constructed to accommodate the flow of run-off water.
“Hindi naman pwedeng i-rehabilitate ang bundok ng Ifugao. Half of the province is within the Sierra Madre and kapag may excavation, may slide dyan. Once the slope is stable, then the landslide will stop (We cannot rehabilitate the mountains of Ifugao because half of the province is within the Sierra Madre mountain range and if there is an excavation, there will be a slide that will be experienced unless the slope is made stable),” he said. (PNA)
