2 Talisay villages ask city council to solve blocked drainage woes

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante has asked Councilor Socrates Fernandez, who is the chairman of the committee on infrastructure, to investigate complaints about flooding in barangays, Poblacion and Cansojong.

A joint resolution approved by the barangay councils of Poblacion and Cansojong last January 13 pointed out that the drainage system in a particular area is being blocked by some residents.

“Both barangays cannot solve this problem due to limited financial resources and capabilities,” the resolution read.

Situated between two barangays is a canal, which serves as the common boundaries between the Poblacion and Cansojong.

“For a long time now, this canal serves as the outlet for rain water that flows direct to the sea,” the resolution read.

Residents said it would take five to six days for the water to subside.

Barangay Cansojong Chairman Nick Hermosa said the water comes from a water lagoon in Barangay Poblacion located near Ngosiuk, a noodle factory.

The barangay also blames some residents for their houses that block the flow of water.

The recent rain brought knee-deep water, which has now become murky and produce a foul smell after it combined with the previous stagnant rain water.

The lack of a drainage system has angered residents.     Amor Duran, Sumampong’s neighbor, said residents struggle to get in and out of their place because of the water.

Seguerra Compound, a densely populated area, lies in the inner part of the village and even its small pathway from the main street leading to the inner section is flooded.

City lawyer Alfredo Sipalay said a plan to re-open the drainage in the area has been stalled after a Jun Salceda, owner of a beach resort where the water from the Seguerra Compound used to pass, closed the drainage allegedly because he does not want the sea fronting his beach contaminated with the compound’s waste water.

Sipalay said if Salceda continues to refuse to heed the city’s request to open the drainage, the city may take him to court for an expropriation proceeding. (FREEMAN)