Bulacan and Pampanga Form Alliance

Local government officials in the coastal areas of Bulacan and Pampanga, together with various institutions, have formed an alliance that will address flooding and rise of sea levels caused by the ill effects of climate change and global warming, the Philippine News Agency informs. 

Malolos City Mayor, Christian Natividad, who was appointed as chairman of the technical working group of the newly-formed body, said that local officials understand the importance of coastal resource management and calamity preparedness in their respective communities.

“All the parties recognize the danger and hazards brought by frequent upstream flooding and other calamities experienced by their respective LGUs,” Natividad said.

He also explained that the main task of the technical working group is to plan the short, medium and long term solutions suitable for areas of concern covered by the alliance’s mission specifically addressing the following challenges – tidal flooding and fluvial flooding; water pollution, coastal resource management; disaster preparedness and management and other socio-economic development-related projects.

“There is a need for a joint response and action for an effective solution to the flooding problem in our respective towns. One example is the dredging of the river. It must be done simultaneously and there should be an appropriate plan. The efforts and funding of one town in dredging the river will go to waste if the neighboring areas will not conduct the same,” Natividad said.

He also said that among the projects being planned is the massive planting of mangroves along the coastline of western Luzon from La Union to Cavite.

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