LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III is strongly advocating for the dredging or large-scale excavation of rivers to address the perennial flooding problems in the province.
In a recent press briefing during the onslaught of massive flooding in Pangasinan, the governor emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan for drainage system reconstruction, pumping stations, and retention ponds.
“We have to make bold move kung ano ba talaga yung long-term solutions on how to solve this flooding problem. Kailangan province-wide ito or kung hindi man, region-wide. Kasi ang nakikita naming pinaka-reason are the heavily silted rivers,” Gov. Guico said.
As emphasized by the governor, one of the key initiatives of the provincial government is to conduct dredging from the river mouths to the upstream areas. This is in line with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2020-07 (DAO 7), which governs dredging activities in the country.
“Yung DAO 7, they will dredge (the river) (with) the province as the proponent. Meron tayong iti-nap na magdredge. They will even pay the province. So, at no cost ito….dumaan sa proseso ito, may ECC lahat,” he added.
Furthermore, Gov. Guico asked the support of Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, as he proposed the crafting of an ordinance that will create a task force focused on flood mitigation and the rehabilitation of the province’s systems.
“Pinag-aralan po namin nila Vice Gov., sabi ko kailangan ng sangguniang Panlalawigan ordinance para ma-create ito…I’m very confident that maka-form tayo ng isang department or unit specifically to address the flooding sa probinsya,” he said.
Gov. Guico also encouraged the support of all the province’s congressional representatives to support the realization of the project.
(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO, photos by Gian Carlo Millanes)
