P150 million needed to end perennial Baguio flooding

By Dexter A . See

BAGUIO CITY -- At least P150 million is still needed by the city government and the Department of Public works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office to complete  rehabilitation of the 3.8-km City Camp Lagoon and put an end to flooding affects over 2,000 families in the City Camp area, a public works official said Friday.

            Engr. Ireneo S. Gallato, DPWH-BCDEO district engineer, said at least P150 million was already utilized for excavation of various narrow and soft portions of the drainage system over the past two years but more funding support is required for the strengthening of the concrete linings and the widening of the tunnel to accommodate the huge volume of water coming from numerous tributaries.

            In 2012, Gallato said the DPWH earmarked around P49 million for the initial works in the rehabilitation of one of the city’s main drainage systems, followed by another P50 million in 2013 and another P50 million this year which is now being currently implemented.

            “We still need an additional P150 million in order to complete the concrete linings of some portions of the tunnel that will also serve as stabilizing factor for the residential areas that were built over the tunnel until its drain area in Crystal Cave,” Gallato stressed.

            According to him, numerous screens were set up along the tributaries of the City Camp Lagoon in order to prevent tons of garbage being illegally dumped by people living in the different barangays traversed by the tunnel from clogging the same while widening activities were also done in narrow portions of the tunnel to allow the accommodation of the huge volume of water during the rainy season and prevent floodings in the affected area that affect the lives of more than 2,000 people.

            “We want people living in the City Camp area to have a peace of mind during the rainy season that is why we are fastracking the completion of all projects that were already funded but the people must also cooperate with our initiatives by not wilfullly dumping their wastes in the creeks that spill to the lagoon tunnel which usually result to floodings,” Gallato stated.

            The district engineer explained that one of their major concerns is the sprouting of structures being built over the areas traversed by the lagoon tunnel which would pose a serious threat to life and limb, especially during the onslaught of heavy rains where the soil will be over saturated, thereby leading to untoward incidents.

            The 3.8-kilometer City Camp Lagoon traces its opening in the lowest portion of City Camp and spills over at the Asin river through its outlet in Crystal Cave, Bakakeng Central barangay.

            Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan hailed the DPWH for its consistency in ensuring the completion of all funded projects to rehabilitate and upgrade the City Camp Lagoon tunnels, saying that residents living in the affected barangays should also cooperative with the implementation of stringent rules against dumping of wastes considering that they are the ones suffering from the floodings created by their own wastes that clog the intake of the lagoon tunnel.

            Domogan ordered the assignment of city government personnel to man the tunnel and clear it from the garbage that clog it to prevent floodings during heavy rains.