Zamboanga City Launches Ambitious Flood Control Plan
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso has announced a comprehensive plan to rechannel rivers and natural tributaries in flood-prone areas as a concrete solution to the recurring flooding problems that recently displaced more than 1,200 families.
Immediate Response to Sunday's Flooding Crisis
The flooding emergency occurred on Sunday, November 9, 2025, forcing the evacuation of numerous families to five designated evacuation sites throughout the city. According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, while the flooding wasn't widespread, several areas experienced significant submersion due to intermittent rains and strong winds that began on Saturday night, November 8, and continued through Sunday.
Mayor Olaso developed the rechanneling plan after conducting thorough inspections in three particularly affected villages: Putik, Guiwan, and Tugbungan. These field assessments aimed to identify the root causes of the persistent flooding that has plagued these communities.
Comprehensive Flood Prevention Strategy
During Monday's flag ceremony, Mayor Olaso emphasized the critical need for stronger, long-term, and sustainable solutions for Zamboanga City's most vulnerable areas. He specifically noted that recent weather disturbances, including Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, have highlighted the city's continued susceptibility to flooding emergencies.
The mayor's inspection initiative extended beyond the immediately affected areas, with similar assessments conducted in Sangali, Labuan, and other flood-prone villages throughout Zamboanga City. This comprehensive approach ensures that solutions address the broader flooding challenges facing multiple communities.
Political Unity for Community Safety
Following the flag-raising ceremony, Mayor Olaso, accompanied by members of the City Council, revisited the flood-affected areas in Guiwan, Putik, and Tugbungan to survey the damage and solidify plans for the proposed river rechanneling project.
In a significant appeal for cooperation, Mayor Olaso called upon all councilors, regardless of political affiliation, to support this crucial initiative for the benefit of constituents who suffer from perennial flooding. This bipartisan approach underscores the urgency of addressing what has become a recurring threat to public safety and property.
The proposed river rechanneling project represents one of the most substantial flood mitigation efforts recently proposed for Zamboanga City, aiming to provide lasting protection against future weather-related emergencies that have repeatedly displaced residents and damaged property throughout the region.
