CAGAYAN DE ORO, July 31 (PNA) – Two concerned persons have been lobbying for the construction of a dike along the Iponan River in six months now.
Dr. Reuben Daba and lawyer James Judith II, who called themselves as “concerned citizens,” are working for the construction of a Php 244 million flood dikes in the Iponan River to protect a relocation site in the village of Canito-an here from flooding.
Daba and Judith described the situation in sitio Calaanan, the relocation site in the village of Canitoan in Cagayan De Oro is flooded every time a downpour occurs.
The residents in the area are experiencing a phobia because they were mostly victims of tropical storm Sendong in 2011 when floods spawned by the weather disturbance killed hundreds of people in the city, Judith said.
He said that the relocation site located in a valley below sea level sits dangerously near the Iponan riverbank.
For his part, Daba said that continuing illegal quarrying at the Iponan River would only hasten the possibility of a flood.
Due to this, the two concerned citizens drafted a comprehensive technical proposal complete with a detailed program of works outlining all the materials and amount of expenses needed for the Php 244 million-project.
The proponents secured a recommendation from the Pagatpat barangay council as well as from the Office of the City Mayor here.
Daba and Judith submitted the proposed program of works for the construction of the flood dike to the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cagayan De Oro City. (PNA)