TACLOBAN CITY – Catarman Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales III met with residents of Barangay Yakal and nearby communities to discuss the upcoming implementation of a P150-million flood control project set to begin this July in Catarman, Northern Samar.
The project, spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will run through five barangays—Casoy, Molave, Yakal, Narra, and Ipil-ipil—along the Marondoyon and Caglangkoy creeks, both prone to severe flooding during the rainy season.
During the community dialogue, Mayor Rosales acknowledged the disruption the project may cause but emphasized its necessity and long-term benefits.
“I ask for your understanding because this project can no longer be stopped as it is mandated by the national government. However, we will find a way to make your relocation less burdensome,” he said, addressing to the concerned villagers.
At least 19 households are expected to be displaced by the construction of the Trapezoidal Canal, a major infrastructure component of the flood control system. While most residents admitted they do not hold legal rights to the land they currently occupy, they appealed to the municipal government for assistance in relocation, ideally near the town center where their livelihoods are based.
The flood control project is designed to reduce flooding in Catarman’s low-lying communities, safeguard private property, and protect essential government infrastructure from damage during extreme weather events.
Of the total P150 million budget, P100 million is being provided by the provincial government of Northern Samar, while P50 million comes through the efforts of the 1st Congressional District of the province.
Before full implementation, the DPWH conducted dredging activities in 2024 along the Marondoyon and Caglangkoy creeks as part of the project’s preparatory phase.
The initiative underscores the growing urgency for disaster resilience and climate-adaptive infrastructure in Northern Samar, one of the provinces frequently impacted by typhoons and heavy rainfall.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
