FIRST DREDGING MACHINE IN OLONGAPO HAS ARRIVED!

“Dumating na sa lungsod ang dredging machine na lilinis sa iba’t-ibang mga channels at river ng lungsod,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. proudly announced the arrival of the first Olongapo City-owned dredging machine to the residents of Abra St., Brgy. Barretto at the Gordon HELPS Caravan on February 17, 2010.

“Ayon sa mga flood control experts, makatutulong ang desilting sa mga ilog sa lungsod. At ngayong buwan ng Marso ay sisimulan ng gamitin ang dredging machine sa bukana ng Kalaklan River,” added Mayor Gordon.

According to a study done by flood control experts, the over flow of rivers is a result of erosion. Soil, mud, rock and other particles from the mountains are going down making rivers shallow. To prevent river overflows, the dredging machine will be used for regular desilting works in Olongapo City’s rivers and channels, particularly Sta. Rita River, Mabayuan River, Cabalan River, East Bajac-Bajac Channel and Kalaklan River.

The IMS Model 5012 HP Versi Dredge with Patented Starwheel Dredging Machine which was bought by the city government from the United States came in with accessories. “Kung ikukumpara sa isang ordinaryong dredging machine na nasa three hundred (300) meters lamang ang layo ng buhangin na kayang ibuga, ang dredging machine na binili ng city government ay tripleng mas powerful dahil meron itong kapasidad na 1.5 kilometer maximum length of pipe na di hamak na mas malayo ang kayang ibuga na buhangin,” General Service Office (GSO) Head Engr. Vic Bernabe said.

“At bagamat mas maliit sa size ay mas compact naman ito at kayang pumasok kahit na sa mga makikipot na ilog na hindi nagagawa ng isang ordinaryong dredging machine,” the GSO head added.

Meanwhile, heavy equipment personnel of the City Engineering Office (CEO) who will operate the dredging machine will be trained by US instructors who are expected to arrive on February 22, 2010.

In 2007, the City Council passed Resolution No. 114 (Series of 2007) approving the budget allotment for the purchase of the city’s very own dredging machine. The primary reason of the city government for purchasing the machine is to prevent rivers and channels from overflowing.

Mayor Bong Gordon with City Engineer Bobby Alvarez (left), General Service Office (GSO) head Engr. Vic Bernabe (right) Environmental Sanitation and Management Office head Dante Ramos (2nd from right) give the thumbs-up on the arrival of the powerful IMS Model 5012 HP Versi Dredge with Patented Starwheel dredging machine.