GMA urged to reconsider flood control project

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

The Sangguniang Panglungsod on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and eleven other national officials to implement the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP).

This after the President had agreed with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to cancel the IFCP, among other projects in the country, due to lack of counterpart funding from the national government.

The resolution, sponsored by city councilor Eduardo L. Peñaredondo, requested Arroyo, Ilonggo senators Franklin Drilon and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Senate Committee on Ways and Means chair Manuel Villar, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr., Department of Land Reform secretary Rene Villa and Iloilo 's five representatives, to pursue the IFCP by providing counterpart funds to finance the project.

Peñaredondo stressed the IFCP is the only answer to the perennial flood that submerge almost half of Iloilo City, particularly the districts of Jaro, Lapaz and Mandurriao and the adjacent municipality of Pavia.

Peñaredondo noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways has conducted exhaustive studies on the project. In fact, he said, all the necessary requirements for the project are now in place.

“Some affected squatter families have been relocated while the provisions for other components were already considered,” he said.

“The delay in the implementation of the IFCP would prolong the suffering of thousands of Ilonggos, affecting their social and economic well-being,” he said referring to the devastation brought by the flooding.

Worried by the non-implementation of the IFCP, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is set to discuss with Arroyo the cancellation of the P3.6 billion project, when the president visits the city for the Dinagyang festival this weekend.

“It is a very important project for the city,” Treñas stressed, as he still have no clear explanation on what component of the project is suspended. The mayor had written the Department of Public Woks and Highways (DPWH) in asking for clarification on this.

Treñas cited the city is now on the process of utilizing the National Housing Authority (NHA)'s Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) amounting to about P63 million for the development of relocation site for families affected by the project.

About the construction, Treñas pointed out that land acquisition will go on while the civil works would be delayed. The mayor hopes there would be available fund to finance the project soon.

Treñas is also optimistic that the project would only be postponed while the resettlement area is already in place. “It should not stop there,” he said adding that other plans are the construction of main floodway and rehabilitation of Iloilo River and creeks.


Classifieds Festivals Hotels Events Restaurants Forum Archives About Us Guestbook Feedback Search What's new	GMA urged to reconsider flood control project By Jeehan V. Fernandez The Sangguniang Panglungsod on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and eleven other national officials to implement the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP). This after the President had agreed with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to cancel the IFCP, among other projects in the country, due to lack of counterpart funding from the national government. The resolution, sponsored by city councilor Eduardo L. Peñaredondo, requested Arroyo, Ilonggo senators Franklin Drilon and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Senate Committee on Ways and Means chair Manuel Villar, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr., Department of Land Reform secretary Rene Villa and Iloilo 's five representatives, to pursue the IFCP by providing counterpart funds to finance the project. Peñaredondo stressed the IFCP is the only answer to the perennial flood that submerge almost half of Iloilo City, particularly the districts of Jaro, Lapaz and Mandurriao and the adjacent municipality of Pavia. Peñaredondo noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways has conducted exhaustive studies on the project. In fact, he said, all the necessary requirements for the project are now in place. “Some affected squatter families have been relocated while the provisions for other components were already considered,” he said. “The delay in the implementation of the IFCP would prolong the suffering of thousands of Ilonggos, affecting their social and economic well-being,” he said referring to the devastation brought by the flooding. Worried by the non-implementation of the IFCP, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is set to discuss with Arroyo the cancellation of the P3.6 billion project, when the president visits the city for the Dinagyang festival this weekend. “It is a very important project for the city,” Treñas stressed, as he still have no clear explanation on what component of the project is suspended. The mayor had written the Department of Public Woks and Highways (DPWH) in asking for clarification on this. Treñas cited the city is now on the process of utilizing the National Housing Authority (NHA)'s Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) amounting to about P63 million for the development of relocation site for families affected by the project. About the construction, Treñas pointed out that land acquisition will go on while the civil works would be delayed. The mayor hopes there would be available fund to finance the project soon. Treñas is also optimistic that the project would only be postponed while the resettlement area is already in place. “It should not stop there,” he said adding that other plans are the construction of main floodway and rehabilitation of Iloilo River and creeks.


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