P50 M set to fix city drain tunnel

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways approved allocation of P50 million to widen the mouth and narrow portions of the City Camp drain tunnel to end perennial flooding during heavy rains and natural calamities which affect hundreds of residents living within the surroundings of the bowl-shaped lagoon.

During typhoon “Juan,” hundreds of residents living in the area were evacuated by the city government after this was again flooded due to huge volume of garbage dumped by residents in the tributaries which usually clog the lagoon’s mouth.

Ireneo Gallato, district engineer of the DPWH’s Baguio district, informed affected village chieftains and local officials that the agency plans to release 50 percent of funds later this year while the remaining 50 percent will be released next year to implement the rehabilitation of the tunnel.

Because of the support extended by the national government to abate flooding in the heavily populated area through the initiative of Baguio Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the city government and the DPWH will consult affected residents in the villages of City Camp proper, City Camp Central, Lower Rock Quarry and Bakakeng Central, particularly the Crystal Cave area.

This, to thresh out issues relative to opposition among them on calibrated blasting within the tunnel to widen its narrow portions so water will freely flow to its exit in the Asin River.

Part of the long-term project is for the construction of a state-of-the-art water impounding plant where collected water will be treated and be supplied to the host communities to boost their supply of potable water.

According to Gallato, blasting of the narrow portions of the 3.8-kilometer tunnel had been a plan by both the city government and the DPWH as a permanent solution to the perennial lagoon flooding.

But he added the same failed to materialize because of stiff opposition from some groups of residents due to its alleged serious negative effects on the stability of structures in affected areas.

A previous feasibility study conducted by experts recommended the conduct of calibrated blasting to widen the narrow portions of the tunnel so water will freely flow even during heavy downpours and typhoons.—Dexter A. See