DAVAO City's Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) is employing rodding machines in downtown drainage systems to prevent flooding, according to officer-in-charge Paul Revildo E. Bermejo.
In an interview on Monday morning, September 25, at City Hall Drive, Bermejo explained that the ASU, in collaboration with the City Engineer's Office (CEO), is concentrating on using rodding machines to clear obstructions from the drainage system. This proactive approach ensures that the floodwaters recede quickly when it rains, particularly in areas like Matina Aplaya Road and Eco West Drive.
“Ginapahinluan jud pag-ayo ni Mayor Baste kay arun ug magbaha dali lang mag subside dili siya magdugay so sa amoang observation mao nay gakahitabo karun (Mayor Baste emphasized the need for thorough cleaning so that floodwaters subside rapidly and do not linger. This is our current observation),” Bermejo said.
ASU has assigned 15 employees to the CEO as part of the rodding team. Their primary focus is on rodding, while the remaining workforce is tasked with cleaning canals in barangays leading to large creeks, particularly in the Luzvile Village area.
Rodding involves the use of two pieces of equipment and two manholes. A bucket is inserted between the two manholes and then extracted using the rodding equipment. This process continues until all materials inside are removed.
Bermejo noted that most of the debris retrieved from the manholes consisted of garbage, gravel, soil, and mud.
Meanwhile, CEO Officer-in-Charge Atty. Joseph Dominic S. Felizarta explained that in most flooding incidents in the city, the floodwaters recede within two hours after the rain stops.
He said that a fundamental solution involves cleaning efforts and significant projects, such as the retarding basin under construction at La Verna, which will help mitigate persistent flooding in the area.
Felizarta also said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects, including pumping stations, are still in progress.
Last Friday evening, September 8, the La Verna Subdivision in Cabantian was affected by sea-like flooding. This was also the case on September 22, with knee-length flooding following heavy rainfall stranded several cars and pedestrians. RGP