COTABATO CITY – Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on Thursday has ordered the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) to look for a quick and permanent solution to the recurring floods in the province.
At the same time, Mangudadatu also enjoined all the people of the frequently flooded towns of Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Northern Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, and Datu Piang “to be part of the solution than mere spectators ofthis decades-old problem”.
The flooding, spawned by heavy rains during the past three days, submerged vast portions of the six towns that also destroyed crops.
“I ordered the engineering office to open the passageways of water within the Liguasan Marsh so it will not overflow toward the road and residential areas,” Mangudadatu said in a radio interview here.
The 220,000-hectare Liguasan wetland encompasses the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat in Central Mindanao.
It serves as a “catch basin” of floodwaters from the Agusan and Kabacan rivers traversing the area.
Mangudadatu sought understanding from the people who will be affected during the engineering works that will take several months so the problem would not recur.
“I need your understanding, the provincial government of Maguindanao is determined to address this with permanent answers,” the governor said in addressing her constituents.
Specifically, Mangudadatu’s directive to the Maguindanao engineering office was to find a solution and put an end to people’s daily hardships.
She also directed the provincial agriculture office to attend to the needs of farmer families that would be affected by the rehabilitation.
“Do not allow the water hyacinth to build up and prevent the normal flow of water into the marsh,” Mangudadatu directed officials of the provincial engineering office.
A provincial engineering team is currently assessing the situation in the flooded areas to put an end to peoples’ misery. (PNA)
