Rivers in the city are in need of dredging as they are already heavily silted to the point that most of them are less than two meters deep.
City Vice-Mayor Belen T. Fernandez cited the rivers traversing barangays Pantal, Pogo Grande, Lasip Grande and Malued as having this condition, based on the findings by the Department of Public Works and Highways early this year.
Fernandez made the suggestion, saying siltation has been one of the major factors causing recurrent flood in the city, even during slight rains.
But the dredging machine owned by the city has been in state of disrepair.
To solve the problem, the Sanggunian Panlungsod filed a resolution seeking for funding for dredging from the national government through Fourth District Rep. Georgina de Venecia, she said.
Fernandez said the fund is already at hand, adding that the DPWH will be at the helm.
Meanwhile, she added that the downtown area is being planned for elevation.
In August, the area went underwater for several days due to high tide, monsoon rains and typhoons.
The plan will undergo preliminary consultation with business owners there, she added.
For a city-wide solution of the problem, however, a consultation with experts is needed, she said.
Earlier, City Administrator Vladimir T. Mata disclosed the need of the city for an extensive and scientific study of the flooding.
Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, on the other hand, even proposed the elevation of residential areas so that people can cope with the flooding.
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Source: Philippine Information Agency, October 11, 2012