CLIMATE change has brought numerous changes in our atmosphere and seasonal schedule. Too much rain has fallen during the current month (October) while forecasters predict more tropical depressions may visit the country in the remaining days of the year.
Even La Nina is expected to bring more rains and other weather disturbances, causing apprehension to local officials and even the national authorities.
There are areas more prone to floods in Pampanga and in other parts of the country. I can name Sasmuan, Minalin, Masantol and Macabebe which are inundated by the slightest downpour because of their low-lying terrain.
In the north, it was reported that some 14 barangays in Cagayan province were submerged by floodwaters and rivers in that area were swollen, adding more floodwaters to the already submerged villages.
Our country, which is an archipelago, is surrounded on both sides by bodies of water, by oceans to be exact, and is therefore understandable that floods occur at the slightest downpour.
And typhoons are normal weather occurrences. There is changing that.
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Crises mitigation and resiliency office. Clark Development Corporation has this office at Building 2084 obviously to address any crises situation inside the Freeport Zone. Its resources and manpower are to be enlisted in cases of emergencies, disasters and any eventualities which may need immediate attention and action. Local government units outside of the zone should have similar offices solely dedicated to crises mitigation and resiliency purposes.
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The City of Mabalacat is preparing for the eventual implementation of the North-South Commuter Railway Clark Extension Project (previously the Malolos-Clark Railway Project), one of the priority projects of the Department of Transportation under the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program that will traverse from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga.
A Mabalacat City Tree Appraisal Committee was created under EO 92, Series of October 22, 2020 for the valuation/appraisal of project-affected crops and trees of the North-South Commuter Railway, Clark Extension Project (NSCR) Clark Extension Project.
The committee is composed of the following: Chairman-Mayor Cris Garbo; Vice Chairman-Rosanno S. Paquia and Members: Ms. Socorro Valerio, Bernard B. delos Reyes and Engr. Jesusa Santiago.
Mayor Cris and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod are in full support of the project.