SANTO TOMAS -- The mayors of two towns prone to flooding have joined the call for the dredging of Pampanga River.
Mayor Johnny Sambo of Santo Tomas and Mayor Philip Naguit of Minalin expressed their support to the program during a recent inspection of the San Fernando-Sto. Tomas-Minalin Tail Dike.
Santo Tomas and Minalin were among the towns severely affected by the recent flooding in the province.
Sambo said the tributaries of Pampanga River, including the Gugu Creek which is the natural drain for water accumulated at the tail dike, are heavily silted.
“Nakita po natin personal mas mataas na ang ilog kesa sa aming kalupaan kaya kailangan talaga natin ma-dredge ang ating mga ilog,” he said.
He added that Governor Dennis Pineda has provided a submersible pump to drain the floodwater from their municipality to the Gugu River.
Naguit said it was the first time in about 10 years that Minalin experienced severe flooding again.
“For the past 10 to 12 years, binabaha nga kami pero hindi ganito kalaki ang tubig. And after 10 years kung hindi pa rin nadedredge ang ilog, ano pa ang mangyayari kaya?,” he said.
Naguit said a comprehensive study and planning with concerned officials must be conducted to minimize the magnitude of the flooding in the area.
“We should really look for a long-term solution pero for the meantime, dahil silted talaga ang mga daanan ng tubig papalabas, itong dredging ang nakikita namin na makakatulong,” he said.
