The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Pampanga First District Engineering Office reported significant progress in the ongoing declogging and cleanup efforts addressing drainage issues along major thoroughfares in the City of San Fernando.
District Engineer Almer Miranda said the district maintenance team led by Engr. Donald Sanchez has removed a total of 220.5 cubic meters of waste and silt from various drainage systems, addressing the obstructions that contributed to recent flooding incidents.
“Clearing these obstructions has been essential, with 123.30 cubic meters of trash and silt removed from the drainage of Lazatin Boulevard, 59.4 cubic meters from Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) East Bound in Barangay Dolores, and 37.8 cubic meters along Manila North Road (MNR),” Miranda explained.
He also thanked Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda for initiating the cleanup of the city’s drainage canals following an inspection two weeks ago, with DPWH officials and other concerned agencies, which revealed that garbage, sand, and other debris were obstructing water flow, causing flooding and traffic disruptions.
“We could not expedite our efforts without the support of DPWH Bureau of Equipment (BOE) Director Toribio Noel Ilao, who promptly provided us with a Combination Sewer Jet/Vacuum Cleaner unit, a water tank truck, and a sewer inspection crawler with a camera. These units have since been actively used in the daily operations of both DPWH and the provincial government,” Miranda added.
Miranda emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and timely equipment deployment to maintain effective drainage systems and stressed that public cooperation in proper waste disposal is crucial for achieving long-term success in flood mitigation and preventing future issues.
