DUE to continuous heavy rain that resulted in flooding in La Trinidad, the capital town of Benguet had its first flood drill Friday, August 24.
It was participated by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) staff and representatives from the 13 municipalities of Benguet.
MDRRMC chairman Mayor Romeo Salda said several concerns were discussed prior to the conduct of the flood drill.
One problem is the lack of transport for evacuees. Only the municipal emergency vehicle was used on the same day. The mayor said vehicles will be made available to transport evacuees.
Salda said the activity is timely because of the inclement weather. He recommended the use of a manual early warning system such as the “batingting” (bell ringing) present in each of the 16 barangays.
The mayor said he has also recommended the quarterly conduct of the drill.
A total of 1,000 persons can be accommodated at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym while 800 persons may be crammed inside the MDRRM Office near the Kilometer 5 parking space.
In July, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) regional director Nancy Bantog said landslide sensors were being perfected and tested in Little Kibungan in La Trinidad.
“What is being tested here in the region are those deep-seated landslide sensors. We have this plan here at DOST that we will be having this kind of project, rain induced landslide sensors and I think these will be implemented next year which is our plan DOST-CAR this year more on the flooding with the collaboration of other agencies such as MGB,” Bantog said.
Last year, the Sangguniang Bayan of La Trinidad also approved a resolution requesting for P100 million allocation for Balili River Flood Control Project from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Balili River, a major water system that serves as the town’s catch basin, usually overflows during the rainy season, affecting farmers nearby.