Portions of Jaro Floodway operational when needed
Some portions of the Jaro Floodway under the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) can be operational when needed as of this time.
Engr. Jose Al Fruto, Asst. Project Manager of the IFCP, said that the Floodway can be opened and connected to the Jaro River to mitigate flooding in case needed anytime before its actual opening in March 2010.
Fruto said the Jaro Floodway consisting of manmade canals with 50 meters base at the creeks, is 90 percent completed while excavation for the remaining sections is still going on.
Fruto added that had the Jaro Floodway been operational when typhoon “Frank” came, the heavy flooding could have been avoided.
Overall physical accomplishment of the project, Fruto said, was 88 percent, with 83 percent for Contract Package 1 and for Contract Package 2, it was 98 percent.
Fruto said that the recent flooding brought by typhoon “Jolina” did not affect the flood prone areas in Jaro, because it was mitigated by a section of the Upper Ingore Creek which helped much in channeling the water directly to the sea.
He further said that as of now, it is only inclement weather that stands as the biggest constraint to the project as the design remains feasible and the project social acceptability have been established among the affected communities.
Fruto said that while they are asking the residents to bear with inconveniences of construction, they should also support and cooperate to benefit fully from the project in the long run.
He added that implementation of the other components of the IFCP, like watershed management, solid waste management and the operation and maintenance system plan is very important. (PIA6/ESS)
