PGMA bares steps to reduce poverty, hardship during calamities

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal, Nov. 9 — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo outlined in Monday her government’s response to lessen the incidence of poverty and hardship during calamities.

Speaking before residents of Barangay San Isidro here, the President said the steps should be undertaken with renewed vigor to ease the added difficulties felt by the poor.

These steps include:

– the renewed offensive against illegal loggers;

– the continuation of the governments reforestation program;

– preventing residents from re-populating calamity-stricken areas by providing relocation sites; and

– cleaning up the waterways.

President Arroyo cited the importance of going after illegal loggers as soil erosion brought about by the dwindling forest cover results in rainwater cascading down the mountains to flood low-lying areas.

She said she had already instructed Philippine National Police Regional Director for Region 4, Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad, to go after the illegal loggers.

Aside from addressing illegal logging, the President said, the government should continue the reforestation program.

She appealed to residents whose homes on river banks were destroyed at the height of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng to stay away from these danger zones.

She cited Southville 8 and 8A in Barangay San Isidro, to where victims of the flood were relocated, as examples of low-cost government housing projects.

As for the waterways, the President underscored the importance of removing trash and unwanted debris that clog the passageway of water and therefore contribute to flooding.

It is important to work on the clearing of the waterways, especially the waterways of the Napindan Channel and the construction of a spillway in Paraaque City, the President said.

The mouth of the Napindan Channel is heavily silted, making it hard for the water to flow freely from the Laguna de Bay to the channel even if the upper gate of Napindan is open.

Local officials have been calling for the immediate dredging of the Napindan Channel to ease flooding in Muntinlupa City and other nearby towns.

The dredging of the Napindan Channel and the construction of the Paranaque spillway are two infrastructure projects aimed ar easing the incidence of flooding in Metro Manila. (PNA)

RMA/OPS/ssc

Similar Posts:

• PGMA inspects water levels in Metro Manila
• Expert bares four-point strategy to avert floodings of Metro Manila
• DPWH fast-tracks flood control, rural water projects nationwide
• (Metro News) Early implementation of Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan flood control project urged
• PGMA visits Barangay Napindan in Taguig City