Flood control plan in Northern Samar town starts

INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — A town usually frequented by typhoons is bound to find some form of relief.

The town of Catubig in Northern Samar has been the subject of a study aimed at minimizing flooding in many areas of the municipality.

Jan Allen Berbon, chief of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office, said the Integrated Flood Management Project in Northern Samar is intended to be implemented across the province.

However, Catubig has been prioritized due to significant flooding and its critical role as a major rice-producing area.

“Catubig has been identified as a primary area of focus due to its high flood risk from the Catubig River, the largest in the province,” he said in an interview on Nov.1.

“The town is a critical economic hub, serving as Northern Samar’s rice granary, and agriculture here is often the most hard-hit during calamities,” Berbon added.

When Severe Tropical Storm Kristine hit the province last month, the flood water level in Catubig, particularly in the town center, reached up to 4.35 meters as reported by its municipal disaster risk reduction management office.

READ: 1,263 persons evacuated due to flooding in Northern Samar

Berbon explained that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in March 2024 between Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan and the Kyong-Ho Engineering and KCleng Co. Ltd., set in motion the pre-master plan study held on Oct. 28 led by Vice Gov. Clarence Dato and representatives of the South Korean firm.

The meeting involved the assessment of flood infrastructure, river water flow, high-tide impacts, and other critical aspects affecting flood levels.

Berbon said the financial aspect of the project, however, had not yet been discussed.

He said the provincial government would request for funding from the national government once the study is finished.

One of the main objectives is a projected reduction of flood levels in Catubig by an initial target of 0.45 meters.

Additional proposals include the construction of a sluice gate at the Catubig River Estuary and a multipurpose dam, which could not only aid flood management but also enhance water storage for agriculture and electricity production.

Berbon said the project’s overall aim is to help Northern Samar’s agricultural communities against flooding, particularly in key areas like Catubig.

“This project aligns with Governor Ongchuan’s goal to create a safer and more resilient future for the Nortehanon community,” he said.

READ: Scores of people remain isolated due to flooding in Northern Samar