City closes Ticud bridge anew
City Mayor Jerry Treñas has ordered the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) to close the bridge in Barangay Ticud, La Paz district in order to avoid accidents like what happened in the town of Igbaras, Iloilo where more than 20 people died and scores missing.
Treñas asked CDCC chair Joe Papa to go to the site and close the bridge. The bridge was closed before but some residents insisted on using it. The mayor deemed that it is too dangerous for the commuters especially the vehicles to use the bridge.
The mayor was disturbed after receiving such information knowing that the Ticud bridge is already dilapidated. He said it will be replaced by a new bridge under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's project dubbed as Tulay ng Pangulo.
Treñas said a Tulay ng Pangulo bridge is currently constructed in Mandurriao district and as soon as it is completed they will be working on the one in Ticud, La Paz.
Meanwhile, Treñas said barangay officials and residents of flood-prone areas in the city particularly in Jaro are already briefed on what to do in case water overflows from Jaro River especially during this rainy season. A siren will be heard once water rises from the allowable level.
In Jaro district alone 34 barangays out of 42 are identified as flood prone areas. In La Paz 17 barangays are flood prone.
The mayor said the residents should heed the call to evacuate or transfer to a higher ground should water level rises. He said the residents should not have to wait until the water is already uncontrollable to prevent disasters.
The mayor expressed dismay over some residents in flood prone areas who despite the call for evacuation continue to stay in their places.