DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) XI is set to engage with the concerned local government units to improve the drainage systems to address the flooding issues across the Davao region.
“Ang thrust nako for this year is to work with the local chief executives na ayuson nato ang mga kanal,” OCD XI regional director Ednar Dayanghirang said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on January 7.
(My thrust for this year is to work with the local chief executives to fix the canals.)
Dayanghirang identified clogged and faulty drainage systems as among the major causes of worsening flooding in the region, noting that even during typical rains, certain areas in the region become submerged in floodwaters.
“Ang five provinces nabisitahan na nako, and I found out that ang pagbaha karon bisan walay typhoon, walay tropical storm, walay shear line is caused by drainage problem, massive drainage problem,” Dayanghirang said.
(I have already visited the five provinces, and I found out that the flooding nowadays, even without a typhoon, without a tropical storm, without a shear line, is caused by a drainage problem, a massive drainage problem.)
Dayanghirang revealed that since December 18, when massive flooding was experienced in Davao del Norte, they have been visiting frequently flooded areas to engage with the community about the flooding situations in their localities.
He highlighted common drainage issues, such as garbage and silt blockages, as observed in Sta. Cruz, saying “nakit-an namo ang national road adunay kanal pero barado. Imagine, puro na bato, puro na buhangin, puro na basura.”
(We found the national road has a canal, but it is blocked by stone, sand, and garbage.)
He added that the presence of unauthorized structures built on the drainage systems exacerbated the clogging.
In Mandug, Davao City, Dayanghirang emphasized a faulty drainage system, saying that instead of directing water away from the community, the drainage system diverted it toward residents’ homes.
In Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Dayanghirang noted fragmented drainage channels and insufficient outlets for releasing the water into the river or the sea.
To address these issues, Dayanghirang said that they will be convening barangay captains, municipal mayors, as well as municipal engineers and planners in the affected areas to come up with concrete solutions.
“Ang akong objective, 1,200 ka barangays ma-identify ang problem and what are the solutions then i-endorse nato for funding,” he said.
(I am targeting 1,200 barangays to identify the problem and the solutions, and then we will endorse it for funding.)
Dayanghirang added that to ensure that the identified solutions will be implemented, they will actively involve local leaders alongside the relevant national government agencies in the planning and execution process.
While the solutions to the region’s flooding are actionable, Dayanghirang urged the public to take an active role in addressing the problem by responsibly managing their garbage, saying that garbage remains the primary cause of drainage blockages.
“Kitang katawhan sa Davao we have to cooperate, help our government kay dili lang ni trabaho sa gobyerno, trabaho usab nato ni,” he emphasized.
(We, the people of Davao, have to cooperate and help our government because this is not just the government’s job; it is also our job.) (clc/ASO/PIA XI)
