SAN SIMON -- Amid the battle against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the local government here is also embarking on preparatory measures to alleviate flooding this coming rainy season.

Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr. said two backhoes are currently deployed to clear the waterways around the municipality.

"We are dredging our canals and creeks to ensure the fast-flow of water during heavy rain. In this way, we can prevent the flood from being stagnant which is one of the problems in the past years," he said.

The mayor said waterways in Barangays San Isidro, San Pedro and San Juan, were already cleared while those in Sta. Monica and Sto. Niño villages are set to follow.

He also assured that major thoroughfares in town will remain passable as they were already upgraded before the rainy season.

This includes its portion of the MacArthur Highway, particularly in the CDCP junction, and the San Simon-Baliwag road going to the town's plaza.

"Flooding has been a regular problem in our municipality so we were able to prepare ahead of time through short and long-term flood-control projects but we are not being complacent as we want to minimize its effects on the households and the economy," he said.