Barangay officials and residents of Naga City thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his visit on Saturday and for personally inspecting the implementation of the Oplan Kontra Baha Program.

Raymund Arevalo, Triangulo barangay chair, said the project would benefit his constituents during heavy rains as it would curb flooding.

“It’s an honor to meet the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Whatever project is brought here when the President comes is a great thing, and we are the beneficiaries. The situation of Sagop Creek will be even better,” he said.

He noted that whenever there is flooding during heavy rains, 2,500 families are affected in their barangay.

“First of all, in Naga City, bringing the President to our barangay is a big opportunity to visit and be given a project for the welfare of our constituents. Thank you, PBBM, Ma’am (Mayor) Leni (Robredo),” he added.

Juan Francis Mendoza, barangay captain of Concepcion Pequeña, said the President’s visit signifies a solution to the problem in their place.

“The flooding here will hopefully be resolved. It will have many effects. The residents along the creek will also be relocated. This is also one of the important things,” he said.

Minerva Baladia, a resident of Concepcion Pequeña, is happy to see the implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha in their area.

“First of all, I am happy because I hope we will not experience the flood anymore,” she said.

The program focuses on the 10-km. Sagop Creek, a major waterway closely monitored by the local government of Naga City.

The creek’s channel passes through five barangays: Del Rosario, Concepcion Grande, Concepcion Pequeña, Triangulo, and Tabuco, areas that are highly vulnerable to flooding due to their proximity to the Bicol River Basin catchment.

During the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024, Naga City recorded 700 mm. of rainfall in just 24 hours, roughly equivalent to 2.5 months of rain, triggering widespread flooding across the city and nearby towns. (PNA)