City creek dredging project to start

ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately start its P50 million dredging project at the Dungon Creek here in identified staging areas along the 15-kilometer creek without houses.

Treñas said there are several areas where dredging can be started without hassle from residents and the excavated soil from the creek can be dried and brought to the Calajunan Creek as soil cover of the old dumpsite.

The initial dredging at the staging areas will be inspected by DPWH soon in a move to immediately start the project designed to help deter flashfloods. The long stretch of the creek from Sambag, Jaro to an area behind Marina Restaurant at the diversion road is expected to pass by 13 barangays in Jaro and Mandurriao districts.

Treñas admitted that he is sprucing up the city beautification and cleanliness program in time for the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by early August this year.

He said the President will want to see the update of the Iloilo floodcontrol project including the Iloilo Boulevard along the Iloilo River and the Iloilo City slaughterhouse.

Personnel of the city environment and natural resources office, general services and the city engineers office are currently cleaning up the slaughterhouse and other project areas.

By Lydia C. Pendon