Reports on hanging wires, clogged canals in barangays, asked

The city government is urging barangay officials to report on hanging wires, clogged canals including video clips of cascading water caused by the heavy downpour of rain in their respective jurisdictions so that these can be immediately acted upon by concerned offices.

City Mayors Office Special Services Division officer-in-charge Michelle Agbuya said the move is in line with the city’s proactive rainy season preparations and flood management program.

She said Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier issued a directive for barangay officials to immediately report dead trees or dangling branches in their areas that may cause harm to life or property especially during typhoons and heavy downpour of rain.

Agbuya also echoed the Mayor’s appeal for residents and visitors to be responsible in disposing of their garbage since this contributes to the clogging of canals and other tributaries that causes flooding as the unwanted result.

Earlier, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Officer III Louie Glen Lardizabal said the city is leaving no stones unturned by taking proactive measures in preparation for any possible hazards that may occur in the Summer Capital now that the typhoon season has arrived.

“Our office regularly monitors weather conditions especially in cases when there are disturbances and conducts regular Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment where we assess the preparatory capabilities of DRRM council members so we will know what needs to be strengthened,” he said.Personnel of the City Engineering and General Services Offices engage in the regular clean-up of waterways in the city’s flood-prone sites especially at the lagoon area together with barangay officials to prevent any flooding caused by heavy rainfall, Lardizabal added. – Gaby B. Keith