DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor urged all 182 barangays on Tuesday, August 11, to regularly maintain and clean canals, drainage systems, and waterways in their respective areas to help prevent flooding and protect public health.

Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and Highways, proposed a resolution appealing to barangays to conduct regular and scheduled clean-up drives for public canals and lateral drainage systems.

The councilor's resolution cited heavy downpour as a frequent cause of localized street flooding and health risks when community canals are blocked by silt, solid waste, and other obstructions.

"Barangays should take responsibility for smaller neighborhood drainage systems and secondary canals, including inlets along barangay roads, to support clearing operations conducted by city government departments," Bonguyan said.

The city government, through the Ancillary Services Unit, the City Engineer's Office, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, continues to conduct desilting and major clean-up operations along primary waterways and roads.

However, Bonguyan stressed that keeping drainage systems clear is a shared responsibility among the city government, barangays, and residents.

Under the proposed resolution, barangay councils are encouraged to mobilize residents, purok leaders, and volunteer groups to practice proper waste segregation and disposal, and to prevent garbage from entering waterways.

Barangays are also encouraged to coordinate with the ASU, the City Engineer's Office, or the City Environment and Natural Resources Office when heavy equipment or structural work is needed beyond their capacity.

The resolution further urged barangays to promptly report major drainage and waterway problems via the city's official hotlines, including Davao City Reports.

Bonguyan cited the Local Government Code and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 as legal bases for the responsibilities of local governments and barangays in maintaining public safety, sanitation, infrastructure, and waste management.

The resolution will be furnished to 182 barangays, the ASU, the City Engineer's Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, the City Information Office, the City Mayor's Office, and the Vice Mayor's Office for information and appropriate action.