Naga City acquires mobile flood control pumps
By Ana-Liza S.Macatangay
LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government of Naga has acquired two mobile water pumps to help mitigate flooding, particularly in areas that have experienced flooding even during light rainfall.
Naga City Administrator Noreen Bernadette San Luis-Lutey said that the pumps, which were delivered to the city hall on October 27, will be deployed in Central Business District 2, where the accumulation of floodwater has been a significant concern for the city’s disaster management team.
San Luis-Lutey also said that the city government is awaiting the delivery of additional heavy equipment, including a walk-behind roller, dump truck, crane, and backhoe, which are expected to arrive next week.
These pieces of construction equipment are part of the P50-million allocation for flood mitigation and disaster response under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
During his visit to Naga City last February, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued a special allotment release order for a P500-million LGSF allocation.
Of this amount, P450 million has been earmarked for the retrofitting and modernization of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum, which will undergo bidding in December.
Meanwhile, residents of Naga City have actively participated in the first week of the city government’s campaign to explain the proposed highly urbanized city (HUC) status, Mayor Leni Robredo said on Monday (October 26).
Since the campaign began on October 19, a city government team has visited 10 barangays and three sectoral groups to discuss the potential benefits of HUC status.
The benefits include improved data collection to guide the planning of public programs and services.
“Pag HUC kita, mas madali na for us to track saka magkaigwa ning mas fixed na matrix” (Once we become a highly urbanized city, it will be easier for us to track and establish a better fixed matrix), Robredo said.
She noted that many residents attended the campaign activities, reflecting a strong communitarian spirit.
However, some residents expressed concerns about the possible impact of an HUC status on small businesses. Robredo addressed these worries by pointing out that local eateries and small stores continue to thrive, even in the presence of larger establishments.
“Over the years, dati dikiton ang saradit ng mga vendors digdi. Nagparagulpi dahil sa mga darkulang negosyo, ang mga empleyado sa kanila nagde-depende,” she said.
(Over the years, there used to be only a few small vendors here. Their businesses have flourished because of the large establishments, as their employees often rely on them for affordable meals.)
Robredo also said the city government is providing data to counter claims that HUC status would only benefit large businesses while leaving poorer residents behind.
“Pinapahiling ta sainda, datos. Halimbawa, pag sinasabing ang maasenso lang ngaya ang mga darakula, pero ang mga tius, mawawalat. Pinapahiling ta si mga datos si mga independent components tapos si mga HUC. Pinapahiling ta ang poverty incidence,” she said.
(We show them the data. For example, some claim that only large businesses will prosper, while small businesses will disappear. We present data from independent component cities and highly urbanized cities, including poverty incidence.)
“Iyan ang nagdi-dispel na si claim, daae totoo” (This helps dispel those claims and shows they are not true), she added.
Robredo emphasized that residents tend to be supportive when they understand the implications of the proposed change for the city.
“Maogmahon siya in the sense na pag an tawo naiintindihan kun ano ang ibig sabihon, very supportive siya,” she said.
(It is encouraging because when people understand what it means, they become very supportive.)
The campaign will continue until Nov. 19, allowing more residents to learn about the potential benefits and implications of the proposed HUC status.
The HUC plebiscite is scheduled for Nov. 21 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Nicole Frilles contributed to this story) (PIA Bicol)
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