Let us work together so a disaster of this scale does not happen again in the future.

Third District Congressman Francisco “ KIKO” Benitez rallied participants of the first district-wide coordination meeting of local government units affected by the New Year flooding, with representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources , held today January 7, 2021 in Talisay City.

Together with Cong. Benitez are Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Administrator Atty. Ray Diaz, DPWH District Engineer Jaime Javellana, Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, EBM Mayor Marvin Malacon, Silay Mayor Mark Golez, and Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares, and representatives form DPWH Region Office VI.

Cong. Benitez cited the need to look at the range of problems as well as solutions, as he underscored the imperatives of an integrated plan to mitigate disaster and similar crisis situations.

He also announced that at the national level, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources convergence program has already been approved.

As the LGUS shared reports of experiences, damages and actions taken during the January 1 flash flood, mitigating solutions surfaced, among them, creation of small reservoirs in upland areas, community-based early warning system, correct wrong agricultural practices, regular dredging and clean-up of rivers and waterways, enforce restriction of illegal structures in flood-prone areas, and monitor garbage disposal in waterways.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office through its head Dr. Zeaphard Caelian also presented the causes of the flash flood , extent of damages in affected areas , mitigating activities and possible solutions to future disaster.

Cong. Benitez announced that clearing of waterways and dredging of rivers and creeks in the Metro Third starts tomorrow in Victorias City with the expected arrival tonight of the amphibious excavator facilitated by the District Office in coordination with the DPWH.

A simple turn-over and launching rite will be done tomorrow, Friday, January 8 at the Carugiat Bridge and Creek located along the Victorias national highway (passing by the Coliseum, just before the new road leading to the VICMICO).

Cong. Benitez urged the four affected LGUs to continue coordination meetings with concerned government agencies, as well as tighten its respective city/municipal disaster risk reduction and management plans and programs.* See Gallery>>