Adoption of new building code for Dagupan mulled

By October 25, 2009Inside News, News

In view of the recent massive flooding that hit Dagupan, the city council on Monday has requested the city engineer’s office to conduct a survey on the flood line in each barangay that can be used as basis for the adoption of a localized building code for this flood-prone city.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, who chairs the council, said the recent flood was exceptionally high with some areas going under water of as high as 12 feet.

The vice mayor said the result of the survey could lead to the call for the adoption of a special building code for Dagupan, though not deviating from the existing National Building Code of the Philippines, in consideration of the city’s special topography.

Meanwhile, a measure has already been filed before the city council seeking all commercial building owners in Dagupan’s downtown area to raise their ground level.

In the last flood that hit Dagupan October 9, all the stores along A.B. Fernandez Avenue and Perez Boulevard, the streets of Arellano, Mayombo, Caranglaan and Tapuac went under water.

Many of the affected stores have already reopened but some are still closed due to the merchandise losses that were incurred.

ELEVATED CLASSROOMS

Fernandez also announced Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., has directed the construction initially 10 new classrooms in the city, each of which would be raised by one and a half meter from the base.

The project will be funded by an P8 million grant from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Some of these new classrooms will be built at East Central School, considered as the most flood-prone school in the city. Other locations will be discussed by Mayor Fernandez with the City School Division officials.

The vice mayor said the elevated classrooms can also serve as evacuation centers during typhoons and other calamities.

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

In another development, the city council has passed a resolution seeking the creation of a typhoon damage assessment committee that will help the city mayor assess the damages wrought by Typhoon Pepeng and recommend proper actions that are within the limited capability of the city government.

Vice Mayor Fernandez said per the resolution authored by Councilor Farah Marie Decano, the committee will help gather the concerns of the people during the recent calamity and determine the proper solutions.—LM

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