Legazpi city: The city government has started the declogging and desilting of waterways and drainage systems to prepare for the rainy season. Mayor Hisham Ismail said the cleanup activities are essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and their properties during heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions that may lead to flooding.

According to Philippines News Agency, the declogging and desilting operations are part of the city's disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. "This measure is very important since the rainy season is approaching. We are also involving all 70 barangay captains in this operation to assist in the clearing and cleaning efforts," Mayor Ismail stated.

Ismail added the operations would target not only the major rivers and canals but also the city's interior parts. "We will be assisting the barangays with possible units of backhoes from the Department of Public Works and Highways. We want to be prepared before the rains arrive to prevent flooding. Our focus will not just be on removing blockages but also on all potential water flow pathways," he explained.

A task force for declogging and desilting will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring activities. "They will identify priority areas and submit a final report upon completing the task. I instructed them to start at the water outlets and work backward to ensure everything is thoroughly cleaned," Ismail added.