BACOLOD CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is sending dredgers to Victorias City this week to help clear waterways and prevent flooding.
Rep. Francisco Benitez, of Negros Occidental’s third district, said he would meet with DPWH officials on Thursday (Jan. 7) to discuss solutions to flooding in his district.
On New Year’s Day, flooding swamped the homes of thousands of residents and destroyed many houses in the cities of Talisay, Silay and Victorias and the town of EB Magalona, which are in the third district.
The congressman said mayors of the third district are meeting with their disaster response teams also within the week.
“It looks like they have things well in hand,” he added.
The congressman and his brother, former legislator Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, have been visiting residents hit by the floods.
“Many rivers and waterways are blocked by silt and garbage,” said the former congressman.
“We are proposing a cleanup drive and continuous maintenance of the rivers,” he added.