The city government is implementing this year 14 new flood mitigation projects using sewage treatment facilities, pumping stations, and drainage systems to manage floods in high-risk areas.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron’s office said yesterday on his social media page that he met with the Office of the City Engineer on June 24 to review proposals aimed at addressing flooding in barangays such as San Miguel, Bancao-Bancao, Tiniguiban, San Jose, Tagburos, San Pedro, and San Manuel.
This follows severe flooding in February that left parts of the city underwater for days, forced thousands to leave, and made local leaders declare a state of emergency.
The city government was heavily criticized for not responding well enough regarding the problem that has allegedly lasted for years, especially in the San Manuel area, where homes get flooded whenever it rains.
According to the statement, two projects are already being constructed. These are San Pedro Phase 1 by administration and San Manuel Phase I by contract.
Under the city government’s Drainage Master Plan, the 14 news projects will offer solutions tailored to each area.
Some locations will get simple drainage connections, while low-lying zones will require pumping stations and more complex systems. Sewage treatment plants will be built at identified outfalls to keep discharged water clean.
“Iba-iba ang solusyon na kailangan sa bawat area. Sa iba, simpleng drainage connection lang. Sa mga low-lying areas naman, kailangan ng pumping stations at mas complex na flood control system,” his office said.
“Katuwang ng mga ito ang Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) sa mga identified outfalls para masigurong malinis pa rin ang tubig na lalabas sa dagat. Kasalukuyan ding inaayos ang Executive Order para sa Flood Control Task Force na magpapabilis ng coordination pagdating sa permits, approvals, at pag-uusap sa private landowners,” it added.
Six of the new projects are:
1. Flood control from Peneyra Road to Puerto Princesa Bay in Brgy. San Pedro, budgeted at ₱92.5 million.
2. Drainage along Navalta Road in Brgy. San Pedro for ₱3.66 million.
3. Flood control and drainage at WESCOM Road in Brgys. San Pedro and San Miguel for ₱145 million.
4. Drainage system at Gabinete Road in Brgy. Bancao-Bancao for ₱57.7 million.
5. Flood control and drainage from Matahimik Road to Purok Buhanginan in Brgy. San Manuel for ₱89.98 million.
6. Two sewage treatment plants using advanced oxidation process technology in Brgys. San Miguel and Bancao-Bancao for ₱84 million, including 15 years of maintenance and operation.
The remaining eight projects will be funded through other local sources.
As of June 16, the Office of the City Budget reviewed the proposed 2025 Supplemental Investment Program No. 1, which was submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval on June 27.
Mayor Bayron has also ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to purchase seven industrial-grade 50 hp magnetic drive submersible pumps to improve emergency response in low-lying areas.
“Dahil expected na ang mga infra projects na ito ay aabutin ng ilang buwan o taon bago matapos, minarapat rin ni Mayor Bayron na mas lalo pang palakasin ang temporary or short-term solutions,” the statement further said.
“Isa dito ang pagbili ng 7 units of 50hp Magnetic Drive Submersible Pump to scale up ang rescue response ng CDRRMO sa mga low-lying areas, in cases of extreme rainfall. This way, yung dating inaabot ng ilang araw para mag drain ng tubig sa low-lying areas, ay mas mapapabilis na,” it added.
He also urged barangay officials and residents to help keep canals and waterways clear to ensure existing drainage systems work properly.
