Olongapo council urged to probe recurring flooding

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — Olongapo City Vice Mayor Kaye Ann Legaspi on Monday asked the city council to conduct a legislative inquiry into the city’s recurring flooding and drainage problems.

In a letter to city council members, Legaspi called for a review of Olongapo’s Flood Vulnerability Map and an assessment of communities that are repeatedly affected by flooding, including the environmental and structural factors behind their vulnerability.

She also proposed evaluating the condition and capacity of the city’s drainage systems, waterways, pumping stations, and other flood-control infrastructure, including their maintenance and effectiveness.

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READ: Floods hit several areas in Olongapo amid heavy rains

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Legaspi urged the council to consider regular flood and drainage audits and a multi-year flood mitigation program with identified priority projects, timelines, budgets and responsible offices.

She also proposed creating a City Flood Task Force, establishing a public flood information dashboard, and developing a Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and Comprehensive Flood Policy Framework for the city.

The vice mayor said the city needs to shift from a reactive approach focused on post-disaster assistance to preventive and long-term measures that address the root causes of flooding.

“Hindi natin kayang pigilan ang malakas na ulan. Pero kaya nating paghandaan, pag-aralan, at bawasan ang epekto nito sa ating mga komunidad,” Legaspi said.

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(We cannot stop heavy rains, but we can prepare for them, study their impacts, and reduce their effects on our communities.)

She said the proposed inquiry could provide evidence and recommendations to guide future ordinances, policies, budgets, and flood-control projects.

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The city has experienced recurring flooding amid periods of heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Last week, thousands of residents evacuated after water levels beneath the Del Rosario, Sta. Rita and Kalaklan bridges reached 4 meters, or spilling level. 

The recurring flooding has prompted calls for long-term measures to improve the city’s drainage and flood-control systems, beyond emergency response and relief operations.

In her letter, Legaspi said recent periods of heavy rainfall and recurring flooding had “once again highlighted the urgent vulnerabilities” faced by Olongapo residents.

“While immediate disaster response and relief operations remain vital, these persistent incidents demonstrate that superficial or temporary remedies are no longer enough,” she said.

READ: Over 1,000 Olongapo residents evacuated amid flooding

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Legaspi said flooding requires long-term planning, evidence-based legislation, continuous infrastructure investment, and sustained legislative oversight./coa