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Story: DULCE MAE JAPSON
Photos: Ma. Jonierea Pandong Advincula
?CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR — What was once a thriving coastal neighborhood in Barangay Mercedes has now become a pool of stagnant water, according to frustrated residents who are calling on the local government to act on the worsening drainage problem in the Parola area. ? ?
“I have been renting for almost three years in Parola, Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar, and I recently observed that every time there’s a typhoon or heavy rain, the water in our area becomes stagnant because there’s no proper drainage or outlet for it to flow,” said resident Ma. Jonierea Pandong Advincula in a public post.
“We are really worried because the water keeps rising higher each time it rains, and it has become a serious concern for our safety.” Advincula added
?Her appeal has drawn wide attention and sparked public discussion online, with some commenters expressing their disappointment in a mix of humor and frustration. ?“Parola Lake, another tourism destination,” one netizen wrote sarcastically, while another quipped, “Wow, the water’s emerald green — so unique! Full of moss and crocodiles.” Others vented their dismay more bluntly, with one saying, “Well, what can you say? Job well done.”
Photos: Ma. Jonierea Pandong Advincula
?CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR — What was once a thriving coastal neighborhood in Barangay Mercedes has now become a pool of stagnant water, according to frustrated residents who are calling on the local government to act on the worsening drainage problem in the Parola area. ? ?
“I have been renting for almost three years in Parola, Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar, and I recently observed that every time there’s a typhoon or heavy rain, the water in our area becomes stagnant because there’s no proper drainage or outlet for it to flow,” said resident Ma. Jonierea Pandong Advincula in a public post.
“We are really worried because the water keeps rising higher each time it rains, and it has become a serious concern for our safety.” Advincula added
?Her appeal has drawn wide attention and sparked public discussion online, with some commenters expressing their disappointment in a mix of humor and frustration. ?“Parola Lake, another tourism destination,” one netizen wrote sarcastically, while another quipped, “Wow, the water’s emerald green — so unique! Full of moss and crocodiles.” Others vented their dismay more bluntly, with one saying, “Well, what can you say? Job well done.”
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According to Engr. Ronald Orale, Vice President for Research and Extension Services at Samar State University, the flooding problem is linked to the ongoing coastal wall and drainage improvement project, which has reportedly failed to serve its purpose. ?
?“Trapped water. Trapped people,” Orale remarked, referring to the situation caused by what he described as a coastal reclamation effort disguised as a drainage improvement project. ? ?
“The coastal wall now traps wastewater from the remaining Parola homes, turning the area into a stagnant, foul-smelling pool,” he said.
“Contrary to the project title costing over ?700 million, it’s not draining at all.” ? ?Orale stressed
He further questioned whether the uncompleted portion of the reclamation project would remain “a dirty pond of wastewater,” stressing that if the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mitigation plan had been properly implemented, residents would not be facing this situation. ?
?“Now, people are breathing in toxic fumes while wastewater sits and rots behind the wall,” Orale added, calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revisit and enforce the environmental safeguards it approved.
As of press time, the Catbalogan City LGU and relevant agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.(CJ/jmm/DMJ)
?“Trapped water. Trapped people,” Orale remarked, referring to the situation caused by what he described as a coastal reclamation effort disguised as a drainage improvement project. ? ?
“The coastal wall now traps wastewater from the remaining Parola homes, turning the area into a stagnant, foul-smelling pool,” he said.
“Contrary to the project title costing over ?700 million, it’s not draining at all.” ? ?Orale stressed
He further questioned whether the uncompleted portion of the reclamation project would remain “a dirty pond of wastewater,” stressing that if the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mitigation plan had been properly implemented, residents would not be facing this situation. ?
?“Now, people are breathing in toxic fumes while wastewater sits and rots behind the wall,” Orale added, calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revisit and enforce the environmental safeguards it approved.
As of press time, the Catbalogan City LGU and relevant agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.(CJ/jmm/DMJ)
