Lawmaker working out funds for Lagoon

BAGUIO Representative Bernardo Vergara recently revealed a third phase rehabilitation program is in the works for the City Camp Lagoon to further improve its drainage facilities and widen existing tunnels.

Vergara in an exclusive interview by Sun.Star Baguio said he requested for an additional P50-million budget for the upgrading and widening of tunnels in the lagoon and to further improve its ability to mitigate flooding in the area.

He said climate change-induced rains are difficult to anticipate as it often brings abnormal and heavy volume of water into the lagoon that causes flooding in the area.

To recall, the drainage tunnels of the City Camp Lagoon that drains it to the Asin River were widened through an initial P25 million budget allocation from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as P4 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Vergara.

This was followed-up with a second phase release from DPWH worth P21 million for the widening of the tunnels and for the placing of gigantic screens to filter out trash that often clog the tunnels of the lagoon.

But aside from these developments, Vergara said the biggest problem in the area remains the several tons of garbage thrown in the lagoon.

The presence of garbage he said results to the clogging of the drainage tunnels particularly the screens which impedes the flow of water to the Asin River.

He called on village heads to remain vigilant in ensuring proper waste disposal to prevent further flooding in the area.

He said this problem could only be solved through collective effort and cooperation of residents in the area and their officials.