CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Mainly due to the continuous calamities hitting various parts of the country, the city government here is fast tracking the construction of five major drainage system projects worth P14,162,559.05.

City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula ordered the city’s engineering division and other concerned department heads to fast-track the construction in order to address the inadequate drainage system which greatly contributed to the overflowing of drainage and open canals along the main thoroughfare of the city, particularly at the Divisoria area and other low-lying areas of this city.

These on-going constructions are the implementation of drainage system along T. Neri Street from Burgos to Capistrano Streets (Phase 1) amounting P2,208,396.13 million; drainage along T. Neri Street from Capistrano to Apolinar Velez Streets (Phase 2) costing P1,408,068.14 million; drainage along T. Neri Street from Apolinar Velez to Corrales Streets (Phase 3) totaling P1,287,348.48 million; drainage system along Hayes Street from Corrales Street to City Hall area with a project cost of P4,578,257.29 million; and the drainage system along Yacapin Street from Corrales Street towards the Cagayan de Oro River amounting to P4,680,489.01 million.

“We must redouble our efforts to complete this major drainage system,” added Jaraula.

Meanwhile, the city government is setting aside an allocation of P5 million for massive tree planting program around the city.

The city government has intensified the implementation of massive tree planting and reforestation project.

Jaraula ordered the City Budget Office and the City Treasurer’s Office to set aside the allocation intended for the greening project.

While he expressed the city government’s deep sympathy to the typhoon victims’ predicament, Jaraula underscored the importance of massive tree planting and reforestation in upland areas in order to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding.

“Greening our vacant lands is a big factor and I urge everyone to plant more trees in their respective lands,” said the city’s chief executive.

Though admitted that it is hard to go against the wrath of nature, Jaraula pointed out that the best thing to lessen the impact of damage brought about by flooding is through preventive intervention.

Jaraula recounted the devastating flood that hit this city last January where he cited the need to divert the flow of the main drainage system in the city directly to the Cagayan de Oro River.