Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Prosper Dajalos said that active citizenry is important in managing calamities such as floods. This was during his interview on the Ang Panabo Karon Program on Radio 91.1 on October 2,2020 with the City Information Office.

He said that citizens should be aware of the flood prone areas in their barangays especially on catasrophic flash floods. When flash flood warning is issued, families should listen to radio, social media, and PAG-ASA advisories.
Pertaining to the urban flood that happened on the last week of September 2020, Dajalos said that it was due to three factors: (1) Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat” which caused the precipitation rate to be reach above average, (2) runoff from higher ground or upland area, and (3) the continuing urban developments specifically on the drainage rehabilitation of the DPWH along the national highway.

According to Dajalos, the City Government invested more on flood control projects. In 2018, the city allocated more than 17 millions pesos for the project such as the concreting of drainage canals. To add, the CDRRMO allocated funds to purchase a Backhoe Excavator Long Arm to clear water waste along the drainage areas.

Currently, the City Mayor initiated the Task Force Canal where a group of government personnel will be cleaning drainages of the 40 barangays. However, Mayor Relampagos desires that this will not only be a responsibility of the government alone but of the people.

“Naay responsibility ang individual to take care of their household,” said Dajalos. “It’s an on-going process due to some factors of urban development.”

| cio