EYE OPENER
Overhauling of city drainage more important
The overhauling of the drainage and sewerage system of the city should be undertaken by the city government soonest. The reported construction of another flyover or roadbridge may not be urgent at this point in time. Two newly constructed roadbridges at Gen. Luna going to M.H. del Pilar, Molo have only accommodated few vehicles. Why then the construction of another roadbridge? The drainage of the city which dates back to the early 20’s is already clogged with many solid materials and plastic waste so much that when there is a slight downpour, overflow of water is rampant in city streets.
Central Philippine University is hardest hit by flood and classes are suspended and vehicles cannot pass the nearly one kilometer area with deep water. This flooding at CPU in Jaro has been existing since post-war time and past city mayors had never solved the water snafu in the area of the famous university which many people here and abroad consider as the oldest university in the south, not only as a tourist spot in the country, but also the most prestigious university in Asia.
The main question is that CPU is truly a Christian school and past and present city mayors are Catholics and they seem not to mind the unbearable situation of students, teachers and inhabitants when there is flooding in the area. Are our mayors unconcerned with the Protestant community at CPU? Many students and residents in the area are Catholics but why discriminate on the evangelical Christians! If our city officials are pro Protestants why don’t they not give priority to the overhauling of the drainage system in Jaro particularly at CPU vicinity? Does God only cater to the Catholics and not to the non-Catholics? There are good Roman Catholics who had helped CPU in their various activities but seemingly not the high city government officials!
It would seem that past city mayors are not concerned with the flooding at CPU area since they do not pass the way in going home. Even our past congressmen had not done a positive thing to solve the flood at the prestigious university. Former congressman Rafael Lopez Vito had tried improving the Tabuc Suba River by construction dikes in the area but since his term was cut short, the project did not go on successfully. Former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and his son former Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. at least constructed a huge water tributary to contain the flood at Jaro and this project has made a headway in diverting excess water at Tabuc Suba River. But still the flood at CPU vicinity remains a problem. The problem probably is not with the flood but with the city officials and lawmakers.
Who can solve the flooding at CPU when there is a slight downpour? Perhaps a CPU graduate who will someday become city mayor or congressman can solve the century-old problem of flooding at the CPU area! Is the roadbridge No. 3 proposed by the city officials very urgent than overhauling the drainage system in the entire city of Iloilo? Think of this thing our good new city mayor and new congressman!*
