PILAR, Bataan- Four flood control and one rechanneling projects funded for P55 million are ongoing in this town as preparation against flooding, Mayor Alice Pizarro announced Thursday.
The projects involved the widening and riprapping of a dike from Barangay Panilao down to the Talisay River that separates Pilar from Balanga City. Funded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, these are supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Pizarro identified flood-prone areas in Pilar that included Barangays Nagwaling, Panilao, Alauli and portions of Poblacion and Del Rosario. The lady mayor said she joined a group in a helicopter ride and got an aerial photo of the town and identified houses not only in fl ood-prone areas but also those that stand the risk of being flooded.
As preparation for the rainy season in addition to the aerial survey, the mayor asked the municipal disaster risk reduction management office headed by Engr. Hazel de Guzman to conduct a risk ownership seminar, considered as the first to be held in Bataan.
These are all aimed at identifying areas and residents to be rescued in times of flood and to advise villages not to
permit the construction of houses in areas susceptible to flooding and landslides, Pizarro said. “Sort of inventory din ito para hindi madagdagan ang mga victims,” Pizarro said.
Areas and residents identified involved not only those in listed floodprone barangays but in all 19 barangays Three teams of rescuers were also organized in Pilar composed of members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Health and volunteers.
