Residents in Butuan City thankful for DPHW’s flood control project
By Mariesh F. CeledeΓ±a
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — “Now that there is flood control infrastructure built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in our area, we no longer experience severe flooding,” said Marlyn Flores, resident of Barangay Villa Kananga, this city.
DPWH’s construction of the urban drainage system began on May 17, 2024, with a contract cost of P190 million. The flood control system spans from Mandacpan, passing through Barangay Villa Kananga, and extending to Barangay Bonbon, providing crucial protection to these flood-prone communities.
With the urban drainage, as a flood control project, it restrains the flood water not to easily increase and reach the low-lying areas of the said barangay and nearby places.
Flood control projects, such as drainage, dikes, floodwalls, dredging, among others, are mechanisms that are designed to reduce and prevent flooding in an area. They help protect the community, livelihood, property, and the environment from the damage caused by flooding due to heavy rains, typhoons, or river overflow.
Flores recalled, “In our eight years of living in this barangay, we experienced severe flooding that forced us to evacuate and leave our homes. We experienced flooding during Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 and Paeng in 2023 with flood water reaching up to our waist,” she added. “Now that we have a flood control structure, it removes our fear and we have peace of mind that our lives and homes are now safe.”
Arcadio B. Vergara, another resident of Barangay Villa Kananga, also shared that flooding was a common experience even during his parents’ time. This is because the river is shallow and during heavy rains or typhoons the water would overflow from the river.
“I am thankful to the government,” he said. “The situation now has improved compared to before because there is a flood control project in place that directs the water straight to Bonbon. The project has helped us because our area has improved, and lately we no longer have major floods.”
Butuan City is situated in a delta area which makes it vulnerable to disasters like flooding and earthquakes. However, with DPWH’s flood control project, they help minimize disaster impacts and strengthen the city’s resilience against the effects of climate change. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
