Dredging, infra projects to to address Dagupan floods

FLOOD. Residents wade through a flooded road in Dagupan City on Wednesday (Aug. 2, 2023). Mayor Belen Fernandez said dredging and improved infrastructures are measures seen to address flooding in the city. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Belen Fernandez Facebook page)

By Hilda Austria 

DAGUPAN CITY – The local government here on Wednesday said it is looking into continuous dredging and investing in infrastructures to address perennial flooding in the city.
    Many barangays of this city and Pangasinan towns were flooded due to continuous rains spawned by recent Typhoon Egay. 
    In a statement on her official social media account, Mayor Belen Fernandez said these measures were brought up during a dialogue between officials from the city and national government and residents of the coastal villages involved in the implementation of the proposed River Restoration Project.
    “Aming ibinahagi sa mga residente ng coastal barangays ang Proposed Agno River Restoration Project na napapanahon na dahil sa lumalalang 'siltation' o 'namuong putik' sa kailugan, dahilan ng mas mataas na pagbaha sa mabababang lugar, lalo na po rito sa Dagupan bilang 'catch basin' (We shared to the residents of the coastal barangays the proposed Agno River Restoration Project which is timely due to the siltation in the rivers that causes higher floodwaters in low-lying areas especially in Dagupan that is considered a catch basin),” she said.
    Fernandez said experts recommended continuous dredging operations in the rivers with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Ilocos Region.

Fernandez said they have already coordinated with the barangay officials to determine the areas that will be subjected to dredging operations which will start from the portion of Pantal and Calmay River, Barangay Bonuan Gueset, to the mouth of the river in Barangay Pugaro.

She also vowed to focus on infrastructure projects aside from the dredging operations.

“We will also focus on strengthening the dikes, elevation of roads, and drainage upgrades, pumping stations, and rehabilitation of outlets and creeks, with the assistance of the national government, Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico and Abono party-list Representative Robert Raymund Estrella Jr.,” she added.

The coastal villages of Dagupan City include Barangays Calmay, Lomboy, Pugaro Suit, Salapingao, Pantal, and Bonuan Gueset. -- PNA