By Leonardo Micua

 

THE observation shared by retired DPWH District Engineer Rodolfo “Boy” Dion during a public consultation in the Sangguniang Panlungsod that the Pantal-Sinocalan River has already become too narrow because of encroachments by property owners is something that cannot be dismissed or ignored.

Dion believes that one of the major causes of flooding in Dagupan is the inability of the narrow and heavily silted river to accommodate the big volume of water flowing from upstream that consequently overflows to barangays like Lasip Grande, Pogo Grande, Malued, Carangalaan and Mayombo.

He called for the restoration of the whole width of the river but this is easier said than done. Some of those who have illegally appropriated for themselves parts of the river’s carriage way across the years are scions of affluent families and even public officials who have the means to hail DENR to court if it makes the mistake of driving them away.

Dion believes that more than one-half of the total width of the river—if the Magsaysay Bridge is the basis—are already in private hands.

We can only suspect that this machination was done over the years with the connivance of some corrupt officials in the DENR as well as in the Dagupan City government.

Engr. Boy Dion knows where of he speaks and no one can doubt his words about the causes of flooding in Dagupan.

I remember him joining Mayor Belen Fernandez, when she was yet starting her first term of office, and us (newsmen) in a boat ride upstream in the Pantal-Sinocalan River sometime in 2013 for us to know what really ails this important body of water, considered as the life blood of the bangus industry in Dagupan.

Now we know who are largely contributing to the recurrent floods in Dagupan, and sadly, a few of those joining the charade denouncing the current flood mitigation project of DPWH  are in fact, among those that are partly blamed for the floods.

*          *          *          *

After Typhoon “Egay”, the hot days are back.

It’s time to switch on anew the air-conditioners on hot humid nights to make one’s sleep more comfortable, notwithstanding additional charges in our electric billings. 

It’s because El Niño still persists despite weather disturbances like the Super Typhoon “Egay.”

Casiguran in Aurora turned out to be the hottest place in the archipelago a few days ago, registering a heat index of 69 degrees Celsius. It beat all records in the entire country.

Previously recorded as having the highest index all over the Philippines was in Dagupan City that registered 52 degrees Celsius, its highest ever, some years back.

The whole planet is at risk from El Niño because of the phenomenon called global warming, that melts ice glaciers in the North Pole. This is the reason why the sea level all over the world has risen, affecting coastline communities, such as our own place Dagupan, and the reason for the frequent high tide flooding Dagupan almost daily even when it is not raining. (This is for the information of those who use to make fun and politicize the recurrent  floods in the city). 

We cannot stop global warming but we can slow it down to minimize its devastating impact. Perhaps, in our own modest way—  by planting trees. 

But what’s saddening is, we are cutting trees  down to give way to road widening.

We lost track on how many trees that have so far been planted in place of centuries old trees that were sacrificed for the widening of the Manila North Road and other major highways in Pangasinan a few years back. (The DENR the DPWH to a contract to replace the cut trees before giving permits to cut trees along the roadsides).

We also can lessen the impact of global warming by moderating our dependence for fossil fuel, which our present-day coal-fired power plants are widely using. 

As we are still developing alternative sources of energy, we cannot let go off our coal-fired power plants, one of which is in Sual town that is generating precious 1,200 megawatts of power for the Luzon grid. 

Interestingly, Pangasinan is now becoming the haven of several mega corporations developing solar power plants in the hilly areas of Bugallon, Aguilar and Mangatarem, and I think even Sual, that are expected to generate clean energy from the sun.

This is good for the environment, this is good for our people.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments