Drainage problem remains unsolved

The sudden downpour on Monday caught the city unaware of flooding in several thoroughfares that hampered traffic flow.

City Engineer Pianicita Castolo blamed clogged drainage systems that blocked the flow of rainwater lodged in the canals.

She explained that almost all the roads in the city already have canals along the road shoulders, except those which concreting works are ongoing.

In the area along Lamdagan road leading to the city airport, a volume of rainwater had been collected in the three-hour downpour, the flood water level rising up to the waistline.

On this, Castolo said the city government is yet to purchase a pump to drain floodwater like in the case of the Lamdagan area.

Castolo admitted it is difficult to completely solve the Lamdagan flooding during heavy rains, since the area is low-lying.

Aside from purchasing a pump to drain accumulated flood water, Castolo said the city government will field teams to conduct a clean-up drive to clear the canals of garbage that clogged them.

On the other hand, PAG-ASA Administrator Vic Malano said the rains being experienced in parts of Bohol, particularly in Tagbilaran City, on Monday morning were thunderstorms.

Malano said although signs point to the looming La Niña phenomenon this year, the wet season will most likely go full swing by July or August.

He also said precautionary measures must be observed in order to prepare against the threat of landslides especially as heavy rains might erode dried up land due to El Niño.

Malano also said PAG-ASA Bohol may have to put up an office in the vicinity of the New Bohol Airport in Panglao to localize weather reporting as it will affect airport operations.

The PAG-ASA administrator said he already had initial discussions with Gov. Edgar Chatto about the plan and will be properly putting the plan in the drawing board as the airport is targeted for completion in December 2017.

Chatto has also warned all local government units in the province to start preparing for the looming La Niña phenomenon by implementing precautionary measures in their respective areas to pre-empt the hazards that might be brought about by flooding and landslides.

Chatto issued a memorandum circular to all mayors dated May 23, 2016 relaying the warning from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) about the expected onset of La Niña phenomenon in the third quarter of this year.

La Niña phenomenon is expected to bring torrential rains that might cause flooding and landslides.

For his part, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Anthony Damalerio said the governor had also called on the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (MDRRMCs) to convene and draft pre-cautionary measures to be prepared long before the disaster comes.

Also as head of the Local Government Affairs of the Capitol Damalerio also said he will also meet with the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of the Department of Educaton (DepEd) in Bohol to tackle preparations for the La Niña phenomenon.

This is considering that the rainy days would be coming in the months that classes will be ongoing.