Treñas asks PGMA for P1.9B extra funds for flood control project
City Mayor Jerry Treñas has requested President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to include for funding several components in the Iloilo Flood Control Project which are not included in the project's Stage 1 amounting to P1.9 billion.
In last Tuesday's National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting at the Iloilo airport presided by Pres. Arroyo, Treñas presented the inclusion of the improvement of Lapaz creek, Lapuz-Mansaya creek and Jaro River mouth. He also requested that the height of the flood control embankment be increased from the current plan of only six meters to nine meters high.
The Stage 1, Package 1 of the Iloilo Flood Control Project includes the construction of Jaro floodway, improvement of Tigum River and improvement of Aganan River. The Package 2 of the project entails improvement of Jaro River mouth, improvement of upper Ticud-Ingore creek and improvement of Iloilo River.
Package 3 of the Iloilo Flood Control Project also includes the development of Sooc, Mandurriao relocation site and upgrading of the access road to Kasadyahan relocation site in Barangay Balabag, Pavia which is already completed according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. The flood control project is expected to be finished by 2010.
The flood control project which costs P4.26 billion is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through JBIC 25th Yen Loan Package amounting to P2.95 billion. The Philippine government's counterpart reach to P1.309 billion.
Treñas said the President tasked Department of Public Works and Highways Major Flood Control project Director Patrick Gatan to check on the feasibility of his request. He said, the President assured that the national government will provide funds as soon as they are available.
The improvement of Jaro River mouth will benefit barangays from Sambag, Desamparados up to Dungon C. These are the areas hardly hit by flood with some 300 houses destroyed.
Treñas said increasing the height of the embankment would also increase the capacity of the flood control project to accommodate water and speed up its capacity to discharge water coming from the different towns of Iloilo.
The mayor noted that Iloilo City is like a catch-basin of the province, said Treñas.