Ormoc flood-control facility teeming with squatters

The fourth Leyte Engineering District (LED) is concerned about the growing number of illegal settlers at the flood mitigation facilities of Anilao and Malbasag Rivers. This was bared to the local city government during the presentation of fourth LED on the plan to de-silt the two rivers.

Areas identified with high concentration of IS are District 29 and Isla Verde.  District Engineer Lino Francisco Gonzales advised Mayor Edward C. Codilla to address the problem immediately; otherwise, the city government will have difficulty relocating the squatters if they continue to multiply.

Over the years, the Anilao and Malbasag Rivers have become shallow with accumulated silt, sediments and soil erosion from upstream, thus necessitating the desilting operation that would cost P92.7 million.

The flood mitigation facility was built in 1997 as a result of the flashflood in 1991. Its capacity to protect the city proper from a repeat of the calamity was proven on July 17, 2003, when Typhoon Gilas dumped rains with a volume heavier than 1991’s Typhoon Uring. The situation was made more serious by the 1.9-meter high tide but the river dikes contained the swelling waters. The winning contractor of the project is Octagon Concrete Solutions.