BAGUIO CITY - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) approved the allocation of at least P50 million for the widening of the mouth of the tunnel and narrow portions of the City Camp lagoon drain tunnel to put an end to the perennial flooding during heavy rains and natural calamities which affect hundreds of residents living within the surroundings of the bowl-shaped lagoon. During the recent onslaught of super typhoon "Juan," hundreds of residents living within the mouth of the City Camp lagoon were evacuated by the city government after the same place was again flooded because of the huge volume of garbage being dumped by the residents in the tributaries which usually clog the lagoon's mouth. Ireneo Gallato, district engineer of the DPWH's Baguio City District Engineering office, informed affected village chieftains and concerned local officials that the agency plans to release 50 percent of the funds later this year while the remaining 50 percent will be released next year to implement the rehabilitation of the tunnel.
Because of the support extended by the national government to abate flooding in the heavily populated area through the initiative of Baguio Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan disclosed that the city government and the DPWH will be consulting the affected residents in the villages of City Camp proper, City Camp Central, Lower Rock Quarry, and Bakakeng Central, particularly the Crystal Cave area, to thresh out issues relative to the long standing opposition among them to conduct calibrated blasting within the tunnel to widen its narrow portions so that water will freely flow to its exit in the Asin River.
Part of the long-term project is for the construction of a state-of-the-art water impounding plant where collected water will be treated and be supplied to the host communities to boost their supply for potable water. According to Gallato, blasting of the narrow portions of the 3.8-kilometer tunnel has been a long time plan by both the city government and the DPWH as a permanent solution to the perennial lagoon flooding but the same failed to materialize because of stiff opposition from some groups of residents due to its alleged serious negative effects to the stability of structures in the affected areas. A previous feasibility study conducted by experts recommended the conduct of calibrated blasting to widen the narrow portions of the tunnel so that water will be able to freely flow even during heavy downpours and typhoons.
