Editorial: A problem with the drainage

Editorial: A problem with the drainage

WE ARE no stranger to the drainage problem of Davao City. During heavy rains, portions of the city, especially within the downtown area, are flooded.

Netizens have jokingly called the portion of J.P. Laurel in front of the Victoria Plaza as the “Victoria Plaza Resort”.

Many of us do not like it when the city streets are flooded. For one, it is not easy to get home especially when you have trouble getting a ride or when the water is quite deep for cars to drive through.

While the city is well equipped and has invested in terms of disaster response during flooding, there is also a need for the city to invest in long-term flood control solutions.

Office of the City Building Official (Ocbo) head Cirinia Grace Catubig has stated how the city’s drainage system is not efficient enough to prevent the city streets from flooding.

“Karon, dapat man gud ang design sa drainage depende sa volume sa rain. Ang data sa Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) nagsulti nga ang volume sa rain five years before kay times three na ron (The current drainage design should depend on the volume amount of rain. Pagasa’s data noted a times three increase of volume of rain compared to five years ago),” Catubig said.

Adding to the problem on drainage is the lack of discipline of some Dabawenyos when it comes to trash. Some may say that it is not Dabawenyos who are throwing trash anywhere which finds its way into the drainage system. However, whether they are Dabawenyos or not, reality is Davao City has a growing garbage problem that needs to be addressed immediately.

Darrell Blatchley, environmental advocate and D’Bone Collector museum founder, recently shed light on how the canal in Barangay 37-D in Bucana was clogged by garbage.

Likewise, Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) head Paul Bermejo said construction wastes, such as debris, sands, and gravel, are being disposed in some open canals and gutters, contributing to the clogging of the city’s drainage.

Bermejo also pointed out that they have observed malpractices from construction firms that are dumping construction wastes into the canals.

Catubig warned those construction firms may be issued with a stoppage order if found guilty.

Davao City has a drainage problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The city will not only need to improve the infrastructure but it also has to strengthen its campaign and programs on the garbage problem. Based on what we see and observe, the garbage problem of the city is also a factor in the drainage problem.

Also, it is not only the government who should take part in the solution to the drainage problem. Those living in Davao City and businesses here also have a part in it by throwing their garbage properly and following environmental laws.

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