Comprehensive program to address flood problem

COTABATO CITY --- Regional Secretary Don Mustapha Loong of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH- ARMM) sees the need for a more comprehensive  program to address the flood problem along the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao.

Loong said the department has discussed this matter during the recent convergence committee meeting with the municipal planning officers of the affected towns.

“Projects implemented by the DPWH-ARMM are mostly roads, bridges, and river walls. Therefore, we need a comprehensive and holistic program that will address the problem surrounding Liguasan Marsh,” he said.

Loong said this is part of the Mindanao River Basin, so it is not only a concern of the regional government but also of other areas affected by the flooding.

“The provincial government of Maguindanao has quickly responded on the issue by purchasing two dredging machines amounting to P60 million. They have partnered with the affected local government units to dredge the rivers,” he said.

Previously, the municipality of Sultan sa Barongis in the province of Maguindanao has appealed for aid from the provincial and the ARMM governments to solve its recurring flood problem.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said that Sultan sa Barongis is situated along the borders of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and is at the direct path of Ala River, a major tributary springing from South Cotabato.

“Flood waters easily rise in the town, most especially in the five low-lying barangays --- Paldong, Barurao, Gadungan, Papakan, and Kulambog,” he said.

Angas mentioned the characteristics of flood waters that remain unpredictable as they recede and suddenly rise even if Maguindanao province experiences no rain.

“Even if we don’t experience rain here in the province, we are still prone to flooding should it rain in the nearby provinces. Floods come and go but it’s getting worse every time a situation like this takes place,” he said.

Mayor Angas earlier blamed a flood control dike constructed by a banana plantation company.  “They put up a dike to save their farm site but the flood water from Ala River has been diverted to Sultan sa Barongis.” (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)