It seemed like a strange coincidence but mild natural phenomena struck Dumaguete and Negros Oriental just two weeks apart.
First, there was the unusually heavy downpour brought about by a low pressure area, which submerged most of Dumaguete’s streets. Fortunately, these rains did not have the same magnitude as the deadly February 7, 2009 flood which was the worst ever to hit Dumaguete.
Last week (unless it hasn’t stopped yet) Negros Oriental experienced hundreds of low-intensity earthquakes as a result of what geologists call “shifting tectonic plates” in the Negros fault, just off the western coast of Negros Occidental. Not a few were scared by what had happened.
Aside from bringing fear to many Negrenses, these have again made us realize that disasters can happen anytime and that we have to always be prepared for them.
Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria and Governor Roel Degamo had immediately ordered a thorough inspection of government buildings and other infrastructure that may have sustained damage as a result of the earthquake. Thankfully, there were none.
In the same breath, Sagarbarria admitted that the drainage system of Dumaguete is already too small for Dumaguete’s size. Knowing the problem is half of the solution. Steps must now be taken to address the problem. We cannot stop the rain from falling but we can do something to prevent floods.
This present administration may not be able to solve all the City’s drainage problems but it could probably start by making a plan to widen the canals like they widen the streets in the setback ordinance authored by either former councilors Franklin Esmena or Rotelio Lumjod.
A three-year term may be too short for an elected official to make lasting improvements. But with careful planning, it should not be an impossible task.