The city government of Taguig continues undertaking its anti-flood measure with the goal of preventing the spread of diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis.
Taguig City’s Solid Waste Management Office chief Eugene Bilaw said they are clearing several drainage pipes and creeks. So far, city personnel have covered 10,780 meters of waterways in District 1 and 7,710 meters of waterways in District 2, he added.
Now, despite persistent heavy rains in recent days, Bilaw said barangays in the city were not as flooded.
“Our aim is to maintain the cleanliness of the waterways,” Bilaw said, noting that they are helping prevent the spread of diseases enhanced or transmitted by dirty water.
Bilaw also attributed the drastic change to the various strategies implemented under the city’s flood-control program, which sees the efforts of the SWMO, City Engineering Office, Lake and River Management Office, Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Health Office directed toward the same goal.
These strategies include the use of heavy equipment for clearing debris and for the desilting and dredging of waterways so that floodwaters may pass through them freely, he said.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano commended Bilaw and other city government personnel for their continuing effort to solve the flood problem in the city.
“I am all smiles, together with the people at SWMO. The flooding had been a persistent problem, and one that hurt the productivity of Taguigeños. I thank them for not losing their hope and focus,” she said.
Bilaw said it also helped that the SWMO holds monthly meetings with the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee.
The city government also promotes the importance of proper garbage segregation through the Information Education Campaign in various public schools.
The SWMO installed trash traps in different barangays traversed by the Hagonoy, MRB and Magsaysay Creeks to prevent garbage from flowing into the main rivers. These garbage traps help them maintain the cleanliness of the creeks and clearing them of trash.
The City Engineering Office has also improved and rehabilitated drainages and continues other infrastructure projects to make these drainages accommodate increased water volume during heavy rains.
“We don’t want severe floods to inundate the city that’s why we took initiatives to avoid them,” Bilaw said.
He also noted the SWMO plans to conduct manual clearing operations yearly, instead of every two years, and continue with the dissemination of information on best solid waste management practices.