THE Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP) has recommended to Mayor Belen Fernandez the creation of an Anti-Flood Task Force that will study the causes of flooding in the city and to determine short-term and long-term solutions to ensure continued viability of the city as a major economic center in the region.

Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, chair of the committee on laws, said the task force to be headed by the mayor will be composed of officials of the government and stakeholders from the private sector.

The task force, as envisioned by the SP, will be headed by Mayor Fernandez as chairman with City Engineer Virginia Rosario and members will be the SP committee chairperson on infrastructure, the City Planning and Development Officer, Department Heads, the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways and representatives from the private sector.

“It’s up to the mayor to determine when to activate the task force,” said Tamayo, adding that the body may enlist the help of hydrologists and other technical experts.

The group will be expected to meet regularly to fast track plans and their implementation.

Meanwhile, Mayor Fernandez said she received a confirmation from the the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that the backfilling of private fishponds has negligible effects in the city since the water ways are left open.

DENR said the backfilling of fishponds is allowed provided the owners do not close existing waterways and do not reclaim rivers.

At the same time, Councilor Tamayo submitted a draft resolution requesting the Department of Health to elevate the first floor of Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) which was inundated during the recent floods. (Leonardo Micua)  

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