Leyte town checks drainage to address flooding, growing businesses

PALO, Leyte, July 30 – The local government has created an area management committee to check the status of the town’s drainage system, to find a solution to flooding and the growing number of businesses here.

The committee is composed of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel, village officials, business group leaders, and residents.

The group will regularly meet to discuss problems in their respective area and provide solution and interventions.

“There should be convergence so that all stakeholders will know what the problems are and they’ll be able to assist or help in solving it,” Mayor Remedios Petilla added.

“This is to strengthen coordination between stakeholders. The DPWH can look into the problem on drainage and effectively solve it if the local government, businessmen, and community members are aware of what’s going on,” Petilla added.

The local government will require establishments and property developers to present their drainage plans before the issuance of business permits and licenses.

“We will not issue permits and licenses if a business don’t have a drainage plan and parking space,” Petilla told reporters on Monday.

The local chief executive noted that some waterways have been blocked by the town’s rapid development, which may result in massive flooding in the future.

“If there are creeks with blocked outlets, this should be looked into by the area management committee,” the mayor said.

Flooding is a perennial problem, submerging some of its low-lying villages, including the town center. Binahaan, one of the largest rivers in Leyte with tributaries from four towns, drains in the sea of Palo town.

The flood-prone villages are Arado, Cangumbang, San Antonio, Cogon Zone 2, Salvacion, Zone 5, Tacuranga, San Miguel, Cabarasan Guti, Guindapunan, Luntad, Gacao, and San Joaquin.

The town, which is 12 kilometers away from Tacloban, has become an alternative investment destination of the regional capital. From January to June 2018, the local government registered 80 new businesses. (RTA/PNA)