Borongan City embarks on a P118-M flood protection project
TACLOBAN CITY—The city government of Borongan, the provincial capital of Eastern Samar, is strengthening its flood control project, not just to prevent rivers from overflowing but also to reforest the riverbanks.
The People’s Survival Fund (PSF) project, which aims to strengthen the Lo-om River Flood Protection System, was launched on March 27, marking a major step in climate adaptation and disaster resilience for the city.
It focuses on four key areas of climate resilience, namely, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, livelihood support and infrastructure development.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda thanked the PSF Board for recognizing the significance of the project and its potential to transform the local community.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the President (Marcos) for this grant. While I did not support him during the last presidential elections, he did not use his political power to disqualify Borongan from receiving this project,” Agda said.
He emphasized that this is the first time Borongan has received such a substantial grant from the national government, calling it a “tremendous impact” on the city and its residents.
“Aside from addressing flooding, this project will also focus on reforestation along the riverbanks of barangays near the Lo-om River and will provide livelihood opportunities for our people,” he said.
The Lo-om River, one of Borongan’s major waterways, stretches 8 kilometers and passes through several barangays, including B, Alangalang, D1, D2, Tabok, F, H, Campesao, Calico-an, Siha, San Jose, and San Gabriel.
The P118-million grant from the PSF was earlier turned over by President Marcos to Agda following the project’s approval by the Department of Finance-People’s Survival Fund Board.
Of 355 applications submitted by local governments nationwide, Borongan’s Lo-om River project was one of only five proposals approved.
This highlights the project’s importance in climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
The PSF was established under Republic Act No. 10174 to provide financial assistance to local governments for climate change adaptation projects.
It ensures that funded projects meet strict standards in environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, financial accountability and community participation.
