WITH CITIES, TOWNS ALONG SINOCALAN, AGNO RIVERS

THE Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution on September 7 expressing the intent of the city government to enter into a collaboration with other cities and municipalities along the Sinocalan and Agno Rivers to strengthen flood mitigation, river protection, and environmental conservation efforts.

Authored by all the councilors in the majority bloc led by Michael Fernandez and Jose Netu Tamayo, the resolution acknowledges that Dagupan City remains one of the most flood-prone urban centers in the Philippines, with its location on a low-lying delta intersected by the Pantal, Sinocalan, and Agno River systems.

These rivers contribute to the city’s recurring inundation, property damage, livelihood disruption, and threats to public safety.

The local government units (LGUs) that Dagupan City seeks to work with are Binalonan, Urdaneta City, Sta. Barbara and Calasiao, all along the Sinocalan River, and with San Carlos City and Binmaley, which are along the Agno River through the Basing River.

Tamayo, chair of the committee on laws and ordinances, said San Carlos City is included because it is among the downstream areas where the Agno River flows, and whose tributary Basing River, leads to Binmaley and Dagupan City.

The proposed partnership among LGUs is consistent with, among other laws, Section 458 of the Local Government Code, which empowers local councils to legislate for flood control and drainage. It is also in line with Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines), mandating the protection of rivers, banks, and easements.

The collaboration will aim to develop a coordinated flood mitigation master plan across the involved LGUs and strengthen river protection and dredging programs.

The LGUs will also collectively work to access national and international climate financing funds, such as the People’s Survival Fund and Green Climate Financing, that could lead to the establishment of community-based Bantay Ilog programs and barangay flood brigades, among others.

The SP said the Dagupan City government will soon initiate discussions with the other LGUs, in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to formalize the partnership through a memorandum of agreement. (Leonardo Micua)