CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago of this capital city on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, reiterated his call to Fernandinos and transients alike to help keep canals and waterways clean to avert flooding and other “can-be-controlled” disasters that may complicate the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mayor, during an inspection of major waterways across the city, emphasized that at all times, environmental protection should always be a priority and that it should be a concerted effort of the City Government and the people living and working in San Fernando.
“Ang gusto ng panahon natin ngayon ay ang ibalik natin ang kalikasan. Kapag sinabi mong kalikasan, yung mga kailugan, tributaryo, at kahit na anong daluyan ng tubig, dapat maayos at malinis para pagkain ang makuha natin at hindi basura at maruming tubig. Kaya muli akong nanawagan sa ating mga kalunsod at iba pang dumadayo sa San Fernando na tumulong sa pananatili ng kalinisan at kaayusan ng San Fernando dahil para sa ating lahat naman ito” he said.
Together with City Engineer Anele David and other personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Santiago inspected two areas, including the drainage canals in Barangay Maimpis and Pau Creek in Barangay Pandaras.
Clearing, declogging and desilting activities continued in the said areas as these are considered “critical areas” in flooding.
According to Santiago, these activities, which are done all-year-round, aimed to ensure that the city’s waterways are free-flowing.
“All-year-round ang clearing at desilting activities natin na nagsisimula ng Enero hanggang Disyembre. Sinisiguro natin na ang mga daluyan natin ng tubig ay maayos kaya natin sila sinuri upang matingnan at maalis ang mga posibleng pagbabara dito, katulad ng basura,” he said.
David, meanwhile, explained that the Maimpis area was just one of the other priority areas of the City in the drainage declogging operation. The barangay suffered from several flash floods in the past years.
David also explained that the problem at the Pau Creek in Barangay Pandaras was the thick water lilies clogging the waterway which drains the San Fernando River.
“Major outpour ng San Fernando River ang Pau Creek kaya kapag hindi natin nalinis ito o natanggal ang water lilies, magbabara at maiipon ang tubig kapag dumating ang mga malalakas na ulan. Ang resulta noon, pagbaha sa mga lugar na nasasakupan nito,” David said.
She also called on the public to be one with the government in efforts to mitigate flood.
“Ang pangunahing adhikain natin dito ay ma-implementa ang flood mitigation, na ginagawa natin sa pamamagitan ng clearing at desilting. Mayroon din tayong mga tauhan na nagmamando sa mga katubigan natin. Pero mayroon ring papel ang bawat isa sa atin. Hindi magbabara ang mga kanal kung walang basura at hindi tutubo ang water lilies sa mga creeks kung hindi polluted ang ating katubigan,” she said.
Santiago, meanwhile, extended his gratitude to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the continued partnership with the City Government in its flood mitigation programs.
Currently, the City Government and DPWH both provide equipment and manpower for the project. (JTD with PR)