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[OPINION] Listen to our scientists: A note from the Mayor of Alcala, Cagayan
In December 2019, the Municipality of Alcala, Cagayan experienced what they call a “100-year flood” — a flood with 1% probability/chance of taking place each year. Six barangays were totally submerged, more than 10,000 families affected, and more than 5,000 homes went underwater. There was no typhoon signal, just rain due to monsoon, and water coming from the Sierra Madre, water released by Magat Dam, water coming from everywhere.
We turned to our Filipino scientists to ask why. The Municipality requested Dr Fernando Siringan, former director of the UP Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) and one of the country’s top river and marine geologists, to conduct a study on flood and riverbank erosion on the Cagayan and Pared Rivers in Alcala.
Cristina Antonio is a first-term mayor of Alcala, Cagayan. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, and a passionate advocate of native trees.