MAYOR Belen Fernandez admitted that one of Dagupan’s biggest challenges is its recurring flooding problem, as the city serves as a catch basin for water draining from nearby mountains and sits only about one meter above sea level.

In her First 100 Days Governance Report, Fernandez assured residents that the city government is taking all necessary steps to protect communities and homes from floods after prolonged rains. She reported that the City Engineering Office, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has already dredged 90,716 cubic meters of silt from the city’s rivers, particularly the Pantal River.

The DPWH has deployed five heavy-duty dredging machines operating from Barangay Pantal to Barangay Pugaro and along the Pagtogkawen River to ensure the smooth flow of water from upstream to the sea. The silt recovered from these operations is being distributed for free to residents who use it to backfill areas frequently inundated during heavy rains.

Fernandez said these dredging and flood mitigation efforts complement the elevation of major and secondary roads by the DPWH and city government. During the third quarter, the DPWH began dredging the shallow Patogkawen River to help ease flooding in Barangay Tambac, Arellano Street, and Dior Village in Barangay Pantal.

The city’s Vactron machine has also been deployed to declog drainage canals, ensuring that rainwater flows freely into the river.

Fernandez, along with City Engineer Josephine Corpuz, recently met with DPWH Regional Director Ronnel Tan to discuss next year’s comprehensive flood control plan. The plan includes dike rehabilitation, construction of pumping stations, and other major flood mitigation projects.

In line with these efforts, the city government has already rehabilitated 14 roads and streets, equipping them with wider and improved drainage systems to help prevent flooding in vulnerable areas. (Leonardo Micua)