Staring into the river that was once their playground, Tatay Greg, 47 years old, reminisces about the flashback scenes of his childhood created on the banks of the river that cuts across the now-busy city of Borongan.
“Kahuman nam hadto mag-uyas ha karsada, naparigo kami dida ha Lo-om, damu naparigo dida han una (Many people were taking a bath in Lo-om before, even us, we usually drop by the river after playing on the streets),” Tatay Greg said.
“Nahinumdom ak nangangawil kami dida hin isda, tagdagko at, yana mayda pa gad dama pero diri na sugad han dati (I remember we used to catch big fishes there, now there are still fishes but not as big as before),” he added.
Lo-om River is one of the major rivers cutting across the city of Borongan City. (Photo courtesy of Rupert Ambil/LGU Borongan)
He further shared that they usually catch big ones when the river swells, owing to the fact that the river empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Tatay Greg, however, now shares the same sentiment with those who currently live near the Lo-om River.
“Kaso yana umuran ngani hin duro, nabaha na ha amon, siguro asya na in an ira ginsusugad nga climate change (Today, however, heavy rains could lead to flooding in our area. Maybe this is what they call climate change),” Tatay Greg noted.
A resident of Barangay Siha in Borongan City crossed the floodwaters brought by the heavy rains in January this year. Flooding has been a pressing issue for communities located along the Lo-om River especially during the rainy and typhoon seasons. (Photo courtesy of Alren Beronio)
Rebuilding Lo-om River
No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned over P117,964,960.92 million worth of financial grants from the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) to Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda at the Malacañang Palace recently.
This was after the city government presented a proposal to the PSF Board in July 2023.
At the ceremonial turnover of PSF Board Resolutions in Malacañang, the President extended his congratulations to the beneficiaries of the PSF, acknowledging their dedication to climate-related projects and expressing continued support for their efforts.
“The PSF and the projects it funds will serve as a safeguard as we adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. We can proudly say that the Philippines is a trailblazer in domestic climate finance for adaptation, showcasing our nation’s commitment to global environmental responsibility,” President Marcos Jr. emphasized.
The fund for Borongan City is allocated for the “Reinforcement of Lo-om River Flood Protection System and Redevelopment for Resilient Communities and Livelihood” project that is set to fortify flood control measures along Lo-om River as well as support reforestation efforts in the area.
“The approval and subsequent turnover of the fund signifies a crucial development in our undertaking to enhance our resilience in the face of floods and other environmental challenges,” Mayor Agda said in a statement.
Prior to the awarding ceremony at the Malacañang Palace, a series of inspection visits and validations were made by the PSF Board Secretariat and PSF Board Member Agencies to ensure the proper utilization of the PSF grant as well as to ensure that the project adheres to the climate-responsive standards set by the PSF.
In a brief huddle with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, shortly before the awarding ceremony, Executive Assistant Deogracias “Judy” Paano heard him say that it’s about 11 years now that no LGU has ever been a recipient of the PSF fund, which is actually intended to build climate-resilient communities.
“Sec. Diokno was happy to note that for 2023, six of the country’s LGUs were be able to meet PSF requirements,” Paano, who headed the team that crafted the project proposal, shared.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission, and Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Agda (rightmost) with other local chief executives who received certificates of award for the funding of their proposed climate resilient projects in their respective communities. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office)
Meanwhile, other PSF-funded projects include a P271.15 million grant for the Provincial Government of Mountain Province to construct a Climate Field School (CFS), aiming to boost agricultural and fisheries sectors; the Municipality of Maramag, Bukidnon, secured P126.40 million for drainage systems and agroforestry development; a solar-powered lamp project in Cabagan, Isabela (P21.28 million); a mangrove rehabilitation in Catanauan, Quezon Province (P2.64 million); and a project development grant worth P2 million for the Water Harvesting Structures Project in Besao, Mountain Province, as listed by the Climate Change Commission in its Facebook post.
Established under Republic Act No. 10174, the PSF is a special fund in the National Treasury that provides long-term finance streams to enable the government to effectively address the problems of climate change through adaptation programs and projects.
Tatay Greg, upon knowing the rehabilitation project planned for Lo-om River, expressed his excitement for the project.
“Dako gud ini nga impact, especially para ha amon nga naukoy harani ha Lo-om, diri na mabaha didi kun nauran (The project will have a huge impact, especially for us who live near the Lo-om River. Soon, there will be no more flooding during the rainy day),” he said. (LDL/VTG/PIA Eastern Samar with BCIO)
