Baguio City gov’t proposes dredging of Balili River; about 1,000 structures blocking waterways听identified听
BAGUIO is asking the national government鈥檚 help in dredging the Balili River and other waterways to prevent perennial flooding in low-lying areas of the mountain city.听听
In a statement released by the information office on Thursday,听City听Administrator听Bonifacio听I.听dela听Pe帽a听said听鈥渁ppropriate measures must already be undertaken听to听ensure its听dredging to allow the river system to accommodate the huge volume of water flowing into it during the height of the rainy season.鈥澨听
Balili, one of the major river systems in Baguio and neighboring province Benguet,听is the main discharge area of various tributaries from elevated areas in the city, he said.听听听
Citing data from state weather agency PAGASA, he said Baguio听鈥渁lways receives the highest rainfall annually.鈥澨听
The city reported flooding and landslides last week as severe tropical storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) dumped heavy rain across northern Luzon areas.听听
Mr. Dela Pe帽a also said the city government is undertaking clearing of waterways as well as addressing the problem of illegal structures that block flow and have violated the three-meter easement rule.听听听
He听admitted, however,听that听鈥渢he clearing of the waterways and easements might take some time鈥澨齛s due process will have to be given to the structures鈥櫶齩wners.听听
The City Buildings and Architecture Office is currently听conducting ocular inspection on听waterways and听identifying听easement听violations.听听听
It has so far found about 1,000 illegal structures.听鈥斕齅SJ听
