Talisay city: Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez will convene a flood mitigation summit with stakeholders from the local government units (LGUs) and other concerned sectors to assess all the flood control projects in his legislative district at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Sept. 14. The activity will include a discussion with Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute executive director and the director of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Center.

According to Philippines News Agency, Benitez confirmed Dr. Lagmay’s attendance, stating, “He will be there. He has confirmed to come. We will invite the LGUs and other stakeholders.” This announcement was made during an inspection of the flood control project along the Malogo River in E. B. Magalona and Victorias City. The UP NOAH Center assists the country in disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, and related activities through research, development, and extension services. Its website uses predictive risk assessment to map hazards and natural disasters, such as flooding, landslides, and earthquakes.

During the inspection, Benitez was joined by personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways First District Engineering Office, led by District Engineer Rene Baldonado Jr. The lawmaker checked the damage, spanning about 20 meters, in the 900-meter flood control structure along the Malogo River in Barangay Pasil, E. B. Magalona, which is adjacent to Barangay XIII in Victorias City. The PHP93.6-million project, started on June 27, 2019, and completed on July 28, 2020, was undertaken by local contractors Supreme ABF Construction and Silver Graces Construction. Benitez emphasized the urgency of repairs, noting that the contractor’s estimate is PHP300,000 for the damage.

Additionally, along the Imbang River in Barangay Hawaiian, Silay City, Benitez observed an eroded portion of the PHP96.4-million flood control structure, which was completed on Dec. 29, 2020, also by Supreme ABF Construction. Benitez also visited the community along the Minuluan River in Barangay 14-B, Talisay City, a perennially-flooded area, to determine what needs to be done to address the flooding. He emphasized the importance of community involvement, urging, “We will also rely on our citizens, the constituents of the third district, to report. Let’s be vigilant and take a look within our own areas. If there are issues and problems, let us work with the LGUs to solve the problems on flood mitigation.”