Council releases fund for flood control

OLONGAPO CITY: The local government has allocated some P9.3 million for its flood control projects to reduce the floods in one of the city’s biggest barangay.

The money went to Barangay Santa Rita, which is hit by high floods yearly, damaging properties and sometimes forcing residents to flee their homes for the evacuation sites.

Barangay Captain Gomercindo Sundiam Sr. said that the other places heavily hit by floods during the last storm were Purok 1, consisting of Manggahan Street, Chicon Street, Santolan Street, Filtration Street, Baltazar Street and Purok 2, Sampaloc Extension, which were submerged in chest-deep floodwaters.

“This flood control project will reduce if flood waters from Sta. rita river coming into residential areas of Barangay Santa Rita,” Sundiam said.

The budget, which passed the city council last week, was sponsored by councilors Anselmo Aquino, Councilor Edwin Piano and Rodel Cerezo.

A total of P9, 302,359.56 will help build new drainage systems, rehabilitate existing ones and construction of new roads.

The council also commended Barangay Santa Rita for winning the Regional Gawad Kalasag by having the best barangay disaster coordinating council in Region III.
Recently the Olongapo fire and rescur team won the Gawad Kalasag for best city disaster coordinating council and best government emergency responders.

The Manila Times
Anthony Bayarong