DENR-7 Bats for Building of Dams to Prevent Floods

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has urged local government units (LGUs), especially the cities of Cebu and Mandaue which were heavily flooded early this month, to build dams to avoid floods.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR 7 public information officer, said these small water-impounding structures or dams should be built in upland areas to prevent floods in the lowlands.

“We really need to catch or harvest rainwater,” Llamedo said.

Llamedo said the LGUs must start cleaning the rivers and creeks now after piles of garbage littered the streets following the flooding last July 1 and before the onset of La Nina.

“This means we have not been observing proper solid waste management. Our geo-hazard maps are reference for us to take the right programs,” Llamedo said.

He said the problem of flooding has to be addressed by integrating and pooling resources through strict implementation of a solid waste management ordinance.

Oscar Tabada, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Visayas director, said heavy rains are expected in the coming weeks.

Tabada said the La Niña is expected to come in the last quarter of 2016.

Earlier, Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) acting general manager Noel Dalena said they are willing to expand the Lusaran and Cotcot Dams in the hinterlands on Cebu City.

But Dalena said it will cost them PHP2 billion, and the banks or foreign lending institutions will not grant them a loan because the National Government will not issue a guarantee. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS