Rome: Mayor Roderick Awingan has called on the residents of La Trinidad to begin clearing canals and waterways to avert potential flooding as the wet season approaches. "Let's not wait for the rains to come and then panic," Awingan emphasized in a recent social media post.

According to Philippines News Agency, the issue of persistent flooding, even during light rains, has been a challenge since Awingan took office last year. The primary cause has been identified as clogged and silted waterways, which have led to flooding that disrupts the central business district and impacts local businesses and strawberry farms.

In response to this ongoing problem, the local government has initiated the 'binnadang' program, encouraging community participation in cleaning efforts to mitigate flooding risks. During a recent inspection, Mayor Awingan visited the flood-prone areas of Pico, Puguis, and Poblacion villages. He observed that many creeks and canals were once again filled with silt and garbage.

To address these issues, a large-scale cleanup effort is scheduled for May 9, with local leaders from the three communities committed to mobilizing residents. Additionally, Mayor Awingan mentioned that the municipal government is seeking funds to install reinforced embankments and flood diversion channels to further protect the area.

The inspection also uncovered that permanent concrete structures have been constructed directly over waterways, complicating manual desilting and cleaning efforts. Moreover, some houses have private walls that obstruct natural water flow, heightening the risk of flooding in lower-lying areas.