SAMAL, Bataan – One of the towns in Bataan hardest hit by monsoon rains last Monday, Samal undertook on Saturday massive clean-up of its rivers and creeks.
Participating were municipal and barangay officials, Army soldiers, police offi cers and concerned citizens in the clearing of debris in the Santa Lucia creek, San Juan river, Tabing- Ilog creek and Calaguiman river.
“Palaging binabaha ang Santa Lucia dahil sa karumihan ng ilog kaya nililinis namin para maging maayos ang daloy ng tubig at bilang paghahanda sa susunod na malakas na ulan,” Santa Lucia Chairman Rene Vinzon said.
Mayor Gene dela Fuente rode a banca to fish out various debris, including baby diapers, at the long stretch of the San Juan river. “Bawal ang pampers sa ilog,” she shouted in jest. Worn-out fishing nets, car and tricycle tires, plastics, bamboos, lumber and other wastes that clogged the river were taken out below the big bridge.
Monsoon rains after Odette left caused severe flooding in Barangays Santa Lucia, Ibaba, Daan-Bago, San Juan, San Roque, Tabing-Ilog and Calaguiman that residents said was the biggest flood they have experienced so far.
Flood waters in these villages rose from two to more than seven feet.
