In a proactive move to address persistent flooding, the city government of Naga is considering the construction of at least six detention ponds aimed at preventing sudden surges in the city’s storm drains and the Naga River.
The plan, which was proposed by a team of urban planners invited by Mayor Leni Robredo, is part of a comprehensive flood control initiative being studied to mitigate the city’s vulnerability to floods. The urban planners are scheduled to return to Naga on Thursday, July 10, to conduct further studies on the city’s water outflow systems and topography.
Mayor Robredo said the detention ponds will be strategically located, beginning from elevated areas and moving down toward the lower parts of the city. The concept involves temporarily storing stormwater in large containment areas and gradually releasing it once floodwaters in flood-prone barangays subside.
The first site identified for a detention pond is an area adjacent to the Metro Naga Sports Complex in Barangay Pacol. Robredo disclosed that the city is now in the process of identifying the landowner for possible land donation to jumpstart the project.
The initiative is not new. Robredo had already submitted the plan to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in November last year, citing the significant cost involved. “We see an amount of P200 million for one, while there are detention ponds that may cost more than a hundred million pesos,” she said.
Given the high cost, the city has sought financial support from NEDA and other national government offices. Robredo also reached out to Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairperson Ricarte “Dong” Padilla, who is also governor of Camarines Norte, to help source funding for the project.
“These ponds will be the size of big swimming pools,” Robredo explained, noting that the city cannot shoulder the cost alone.
The mayor’s plan is seen as a local counterpart to the national government’s Bicol River Basin Development Program. However, Robredo pointed out that the national project appears far from implementation. “That cannot be seen happening in the near future” she said.
Recognizing that Naga serves as a catch basin for floodwaters coming from neighboring towns, Robredo remained optimistic. “It’s not to say that we cannot resolve the problem,” she stressed. “We have a lot of things we can do — let’s fix our water outflows, the city’s drainage systems, let’s establish detention ponds — and I swear we can see good results.” | via Jason B. Neola
