Arroyo eyes Iloilo flood control expansion

HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will convene the Congressional oversight committee on disaster management to look into the possible expansion of the P5.5- billion Iloilo f lood control projects in Iloilo.

The f lood control project consists of the construction of the Jaro Floodway and improvement of the Tigum and Aganan Rivers.

Completed in 2011, the project included improvements on the Jaro R iver mouth, Iloilo River and Upper Ingore Creek.

During her ocular inspection and briefing on a f lood control project in Barangay Buhang in Jaro over the weekend, Arroyo addressed the need to solve the perennial f looding in Passi town caused by the overf lowing of its three river systems.

The House panel will be in charge of the possible expansion and improvement of the flood control project, which she implemented in Iloilo City, but Arroyo reiterated that she would look into which committee members could participate in public inquiries as the 90day campaign period for the midterm elections starts.

“I don’t want to get in the way of their campaign. If I don’t find anyone who is not running or running unopposed, I will chair it myself,” Arroyo said.

Oversight hearings would still continue even during the recess to ensure that laws passed by Congress were properly implemented, she added.