Guico III is pushing for a widespread, province-wide river dredging initiative to combat perennial flooding driven by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat. Following days of continuous downpours that submerged 21 of 24 barangays in Calasiao and forced thousands of families to evacuate, provincial leadership is targeting heavily silted river systems as the root cause of the flooding.
Tackling Silted Waterways Amid Monsoon Deluges
The monsoon rains have transformed roadways into rivers across Pangasinan, leaving residents to wade through deep waters or navigate village streets using paddle boats. In response to the crisis, Gov. Guico argued during a recent press briefing that piecemeal flood control is no longer viable. According to the Pangasinan Provincial Information Office (PIMRO), the governor stressed that any permanent fix requires a synchronized, large-scale strategy.
“We have to make bold move kung ano ba talaga yung long-term solutions on how to solve this flooding problem. Kailangan province-wide ito or kung hindi man, region-wide. Kasi ang nakikita naming pinaka-reason are the heavily silted rivers,” Gov. Guico stated, highlighting the severe sediment buildup choking local waterways.
Leveraging National Environmental Frameworks
To execute the massive excavation without crippling local government finances, the provincial administration plans to utilize Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2020-07, commonly known as DAO 7. This administrative framework governs dredging activities in the country, allowing local government units to act as project proponents.
Under this mechanism, the designated private dredging operators will clear waterways from the river mouths extending upstream. Crucially, the provincial government will incur no direct expenses. “Yung DAO 7, they will dredge (the river) (with) the province as the proponent. Meron tayong iti-nap na magdredge. They will even pay the province. So, at no cost ito….dumaan sa proseso ito, may ECC lahat,” Gov. Guico explained, noting that the initiative has secured the requisite Environmental Compliance Certificates.
Institutionalizing Flood Mitigation and Drainage Overhauls
Beyond clearing riverbeds, the provincial blueprint calls for synchronized infrastructure engineering. According to Inquirer.net and PIMRO reporting, the administration’s comprehensive approach includes reconstructing local drainage networks, installing pumping stations, and constructing retention ponds to manage excess stormwater runoff before it overwhelms residential zones.
To ensure continuity and specialized focus, Gov. Guico has appealed to Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to draft an official ordinance. This legislative action will establish a dedicated task force focused on flood mitigation and the rehabilitation of the province’s systems.
“Pinag-aralan po namin nila Vice Gov., sabi ko kailangan ng sangguniang Panlalawigan ordinance para ma-create ito…I’m very confident that maka-form tayo ng isang department or unit specifically to address the flooding sa probinsya,” the governor noted, emphasizing the need for legislative backing alongside congressional support from the province’s representatives.
Path Forward for Pangasinan Communities
As disaster response teams continue aiding thousands of displaced families across the province, the success of the proposed dredging task force will depend on swift legislative execution and strict environmental oversight. Mitigating the vulnerability of low-lying agrarian and residential hubs requires sustained inter-agency coordination between local executives, national regulators, and engineering contractors.
How can local government units balance urgent disaster relief with long-term infrastructure overhauls in climate-vulnerable regions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
