A UNIVERSITY of the Philippines professor and noted resilience expert has underscored the imperatives of reforestation for a more “sustainable and effective solution to recurring floods during typhoon season.”
UP Resilience Institute executive director Dr. Mahar Lagmay said that forest areas lost over the past two decades must be rehabilitated to help curb flooding.
He said there must be a retention basin, as well as flow-through or mini dams that could help control floods. He also suggested the conduct of rain water harvesting and the establishment of pumping stations to expel the water out to the sea.
Lagmay stressed that the construction of dikes must be the last option.
He added that dikes would be more effective if there are less floods on account of reforestation.
On Wednesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon visited Talisay City and Mandaue City in Cebu, which were among those heavily flooded at the height of Typhoon Tino.
“Dalawang rivers ang talagang umapaw ng todo-todo. ‘Yung Mananga River na nag-o-originate sa mga bundok sa Cebu City pababa ng Talisay (Two rivers overflowed their banks., The Mananga River which originates from the hills going down to Talisay),” the Dizon said.
Cebu has P26.7 billion worth of flood control projects. According to data from the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, there are 19 flood control projects in Mananga River worth P2 billion, plus 17 similar projects amounting to P1.4 billion.
