SENATOR Imee Marcos urged residents of Cagayan de Oro to practice proper waste disposal to prevent flooding during her visit to the city last Saturday, September 14.
Speaking at the 3rd Cooperative Summit at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center, Marcos stressed the need for immediate action.
“What’s going on with the water here in (Cagayan de Oro)? When there’s no water, it’s flooding,” Marcos remarked, referring to the city’s frequent deluge. She shared that she had avoided visiting during the city’s fiesta due to reports of flooding.
Marcos highlighted that Cagayan de Oro holds a special place in her heart, as she has many friends in the area.
“I love it here, but I hope we can fix the flooding and electricity issues. It seems never-ending across the country,” she said.
With the rainy season in full swing, Marcos called on the city to implement proper waste management and urged residents to clean drainage systems and irrigation canals to prevent clogging.
“Let’s clean the canals and reduce waste,” she said, noting that garbage plays a significant role in worsening floods, not just in Cagayan de Oro but also in Manila.
She reminded locals to be proactive in preparing for storms, recalling how their ancestors would repair roofs and windows ahead of rainy seasons.
Marcos also pointed to Ilocos, her home province, as an example, where single-use plastics are being phased out to reduce clogging during floods.
“These plastics block pumping stations and floodgates,” she said, urging Cagayan de Oro to adopt similar practices.
