Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog said the continuous improvement of the waterways could address the perennial flash flood problem in the province every rainy season.
“Flash floods in Banaue are not unusual because in Banaue, this month until December, Ifugao receives heavy rains,” Dalipog, who was the former mayor of Banaue, said.
He blamed the flash flood on drainage canals that get clogged with mud when the mountain’s side slopes erode during heavy rains.
The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier noted that based on its rainfall record, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration placed Banaue under Yellow Alert after the town received 110 mm. of rainfall from July 2 to 6, days before a flash flood hit six barangays on July 7.
“The rice terraces at Poblacion and Viewpoint eroded and went to the creeks. From there, it went to the cross drainage of the national highway,” Dalipog said.
“The mud-filled drainage caused rainwater to overflow and triggered a flash flood strong enough that it washed away parked vehicles.”
He said the mud-filled drainage caused rainwater to overflow and triggered a flash flood strong enough that it washed away parked vehicles.
Contributing to the soil erosion was the ongoing road repair work from Barangay Tam-an to Poblacion.
“The town’s canals should be unclogged and additional drainage should be constructed to accommodate the flow of run-off water.”
Dalipog said the town’s canals should be unclogged and additional drainage should be constructed to accommodate the flow of run-off water.
“Hindi naman pwedeng i-rehabilitate ang bundok ng Ifugao. Half of the province is within the Sierra Madre and kapag may excavation, may slide dyan. Once the slope is stable, then the landslide will stop,” he concluded.
