BOCAUE, Bulacan—Dredging of Bocaue creeks and waterways through a P2.9 million worth clean-up project of the municipal government started last week to help mitigate flooding and the slow subsiding of flood waters during strong rains and typhoons.
Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna who spearheaded the project joined municipal government employees and residents on the October 5 first day of the declogging efforts along the 1.5 km silted creek and canals in Barangay Igolot and Barangay Bunlo.
The first phase of the project covers the creek spanning from Barangay Igulot to Barangay Bunlo, as well as the continuous operation of the LGU’s pumping station in Barangay Binang 1st. Dredging in these areas are targeted to be completed before the end of the year. The second phase of the project will start next year and will cover other key areas, says the vice mayor.
“The initiative is set to bolster the resilience of the community and protect it from the adverse effects of inclement weather. Frequent flooding has been a persistent challenge for the residents of Bocaue during typhoon seasons, causing disruption, damage, and distress,” Tugna told NEWS CORE.
Tugna explained that the dredging project is a comprehensive effort that involves the removal of accumulated sediment, debris, and other obstructions from Bocaue’s creeks and rivers which will not only enhance the flow capacity of these waterways but also contribute to the overall improvement of the town’s water quality.
President Marcos who met Bulacan officials following the damages brought by typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon in July and August sees dredging as one of the immediate solutions to the flooding experienced in Central Luzon during the said calamity and every time there is a typhoon and strong rains.
A number of low-lying barangays in Bocaue were submerged into up to more than 5 ft. flood waters during the recent typhoon Egay and southwest monsoon. Due to effects of climate change, high tide of waters from Manila Bay has also aggravated the flooding even in non-coastal towns in Bulacan—Bocaue, Balagtas, Marilao and Guigiinto.
Tugna said the move of the local government unit (LGU) is their pro-active step towards mitigating the impact of slow-subsiding flooding during the typhoon season caused by clogged and silted creeks and rivers.
Tugna said the project will also ensure the safety and health protection of the residents.
Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr., the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Bocaue Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), fisher folks and residents partnered with Tugna to implement the project.
We are committed to safeguarding the health, safety and general well-being of our fellow Bocaueños. This dredging project is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
“By keeping our waterways clear and unobstructed, we can minimize the impact of flooding and enhance the overall resilience of Bocaue,” Tugna added.
“The project is expected to be executed with the utmost consideration for environmental regulations and community involvement. It will be closely monitored by relevant authorities to ensure that all procedures adhere to environmental standards,” the vice mayor also said.
