Frustration has mounted among residents of Barangay Sta. Rita, Batangas City, as the ongoing construction of a drainage canal remains incomplete, despite efforts to clear debris on July 15, 2024.
Imelda Repil, a 65-year-old resident, expressed concerns, especially as a senior citizen, about potential flooding during heavy rains due to the unfinished canal.
“Malabong matapos iyan ng 15 dahil nakatiwangwang pa rin hanggang ngayon. Mabaho nga kapag naulan ay naapaw [pa] ang tubig at napasok sa looban. ‘Yun nga hong dating amoy eh nandyan pa din… may pag-asa naman siguro at sana'y tuloy-tuloy na,” Repil said.
The unfinished drainage system also poses challenges for delivery riders like Glenn Benerable because it is affecting traffic flow.
“Laki din pong abala din sa kalsada, minsan may deliver din ako dine, ang hirap po tumawid. Hindi rin po makalabas ang ibang customer. Kaya po sana kung matatapos agad ay maayos na po, [dahil] maraming mahihirapan po dahil magpapasukan na rin. Sana po ay matapos na are, dahil abala na po talaga iyan,” Benerable said.
DPWH
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd District of Batangas assured that efforts to expedite the project are underway.
“Tinatapos ko na ‘yung part natin sa Sta. Rita… nine-negotiate pa rin dahil LGU (local government unit) na ang aming kausap doon. Pero ‘yung Sta. Rita ko, walang problema doon, positive na naman… nasa 90 percent na iyan eh,” Engr. Sonia Paglicauan, District Engineer of DPWH Batangas 2nd District, said.
Construction of the project began in March 2023 but DPWH has not specified a completion date for the drainage works. The agency said it has ongoing discussions with the San Pascual LGU regarding the drainage's outfall.
“Matatapos ko ‘yung Sta. Rita, habang nine-negotiate ko pa ‘yung mga LGU. Mayroon na kaming mga negotiation meeting. Ang contract, hindi pa naman tapos ng contract niyan. Siyempre ‘yung calendar days namin ay kung na-bid namin iyan ng March, syempre aabutin talaga ng tag-ulan. Hindi pa siya lapse,” Paglicauan said.
