Puerto Princesa allocates P29M for equipment vs floods

One unit of submersible pump costs P2.8million.

P19.6million will be the total cost for the 7 units of 50hp Magnetic Drive Submersible Pump. Some P8.4million is allocated for the purchase of two (2) units backhoe excavator, and P1.4million for the 21 units of 25meter hose PVC or flexible hose.

“It can empty an Olympic size swimming pool in only three hours,” City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (CDRRMO) Earl Timbancaya said.

Four months ago, on February 9-10, 2025, Puerto Princesa experienced record-breaking rainfall when it dumped 352 millimeters of rain due to a shear line and low-pressure area that converged over Palawan. The rainfall was almost 12 times the normal amount for February based on official record.

Several areas in the city submerged to floodwaters and it lasted for weeks, specifically in WesCom road part of Barangay San Miguel and San Pedro, while another flooded area in Bancao-Bancao. Some other urban barangays were also hit by floods such as San Manuel, San Jose, Tagburos, Sta. Lourdes, Sicsican, among others.

It took more than 1,000 trips of trucks to empty the flooded areas and haul the water to identified discharge sites last February 2025, but with this new equipment, there’s no need to haul the floodwater because they will install hoses, which will drain water.

“Part of the plan, e survey na ang mga area, at kasama sa titignan ang magiging mga outlet. Yung mga wala talagang canal na lugar. The City Engineering Department will look for the nearest drain para tuloy-tuloy,” Timbancaya explained.

He explained that this will be an efficient and faster way of draining the floodwater.

On May 19, 2025, one week after the election, City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron has instructed the different offices of the city government headed by the City Engineering Department to fast track the city’s flood control project and come up with solutions to solve the perennial problem due to floods.

“Ninanais ko rin na mapabilis na yong trabaho na ‘yan lalo na ngayong papasok na naman ang tag-ulan,” Mayor Bayron said.