AN OFFICIAL of the City Government is calling on 2nd Representative Rufus Rodriguez to assist the city in building flood mitigation projects particularly at the recently-flooded barangay Bugo.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said projects like flood wall or dikes require more budget allocation than what the city can only afford.
"We need the help of the National Government, the Department of Public Works and congressional allocations to build these projects. Sa karon, ang city ang gapas-an nga unta, this is the reason why we have a representative in the national level to help us," Sabuga-a said.
A flash flood in barangay Bugo swept away 85 houses and affected over 100 families.
According to the City Engineers Office's risk assessment, the three meters old dike of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was not able to hold the rainwater.
"Kinahanglan ug mas taas or habog nga flood walls to adapt to the climate change," Sabuga-a said.
"The challenge now is for Rufus that it's time to work together to invest on infrastructure projects, we need the partnership, iya man ng obligation in the first place. We will also submit report to Councilors Girlie Balaba and Alam Lim who both have access to the national government, we won't wait for a miracle," he added.
Rodriguez meanwhile vowed to appropriate funds for a dike and expressed his commitment to partner with the city government.
He said he already directed the district engineer's office to inspect the area and make a report about the situation.
"The drainage might be insufficient to handle water with so much rain
so we will get funding the dike of the river," Rodriguez said.
"Magtinabangay ta sa City Government, the city can appropriate fund and once we have the engineer's report, we will immediately make program of works for the project," he added.
Rodriguez said he will write to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to use the agency's emergency funds to finance the project and build it fast.