MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA ) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Lanao del Sur is looking beyond just addressing the immediate impacts of potential flooding but also pushing for long-term solutions.
These solutions integrate infrastructure development, environmental management, and community-based initiatives to build long-term resilience against floods, especially during La Niña, which is expected to bring above-normal rainfall.
Nakita natin na those areas or municipalities that are usually flooded kahit walang typhoon or kahit wala pang La Niña, kapag may continuous heavy rains, bumabaha sa mga areas na’to. So we are recommending long-term solutions,” said PDRRM Officer Shaminoden Sambitory during the second quarter meeting of the PDRRM Council on June 28.
(We have observed that certain areas or municipalities are prone to flooding even in the absence of typhoons or La Niña. These areas are particularly susceptible to flooding during periods of continuous heavy rainfall.)
The flood-prone areas identified by Sambitory were Bubong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Taraka, Tamparan, and Maguing. These areas experienced flooding in June due to heavy rains brought by Habagat and Easterlies. The flooding affected thousands of households and serves as a reminder of the need for long-term measures.
He reported that Habagat’s heavy rains affected 57 barangays, home to 3,185 households. This includes 16 barangays in Bubong, five in Ditsaan-Ramain, 31 in Taraka, and five in Tamparan. On the other hand, continuous heavy rains from easterlies caused flooding in 76 barangays, affecting 4,354 households. These barangays are located in Bubong (15), Ditsaan-Ramain (5), Taraka (42), Tamparan (5), and Maguing (9).
Sambitory explained that these municipalities are the “basak” areas of the province, where rice farming is the primary source of income. These low-lying areas act as natural catch basins, and when heavy rains occur upstream, particularly near the Bukidnon border, floodwaters flow down and inundate these agricultural areas, disrupting livelihoods and causing widespread damage.
Among the measures proposed to address flooding are solid waste management, improved drainage, dredging of waterways, construction of river walls, and resettlement of communities living near waterways.
The PDRRM officer also stressed the importance of enhanced flood forecasting and early warning systems, as these will provide information to local government units (LGUs) and communities, allowing them to take preventative measures and minimize damage.
In reality, here in our province, especially in the basak area, almost all establishments and houses are built alongside the water system. So the problem is, if the river system overflows, automatically these establishments or these houses will be affected,” he said.
The promotion of tree planting, the provision of search and rescue equipment, and public awareness campaigns on flood risks and preparedness measures are likewise considered by PDRRMO as crucial in minimizing the impact of floods on lives and property.
Focusing on health risks associated with La Niña
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is also raising awareness about the health risks associated with La Niña.
PHO head Dr. Princess Elham Sacar said dengue, diarrhea, and leptospirosis are common health concerns during the rainy season.
As such, she emphasized the need for LGUs to designate sanitary inspectors and strengthen their roles in ensuring community cleanliness. She stressed that improved sanitation measures prevent the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases and protect public health (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
