Flood risk measures in Twin Towns underway with support from Pan American Development Foundation

By BBN Staff: As part of the Taiwan-funded “Flood Risk Reduction Project for San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town,” the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) announced its support for the Town Council through excavation services in the upper San Ignacio area.

This support will clear approximately 7,000 feet of drains, starting at the Santiago Juan Layout entrance to the Orchard Area leading into the Macal River.

This intervention will reduce the probability of flooding in the Independence Square neighborhood during the imminent rainy season.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially critical that communities take proactive steps like this to mitigate the negative consequences of floods.

Such interventions will reduce the need for evacuations and can slow the spread of the disease in the event of a major storm. This support is expected to positively impact approximately 6,520 residents in this municipality.

Over the past nine months, PADF has trained members of the community, government officials and students at Galen University in becoming active participants in mapping hazards within the community.  By working closely at the community level, PADF continues to improve the ability of local authorities and residents to reduce the negative impact of extreme weather events such as floods, which have impacted these communities both seasonally and during non-hurricane season.

“As Mayor and on behalf of the SISE Town Council, I am extremely grateful to the PADF and the Government of Taiwan for their technical and financial support towards our efforts at flood mitigation in San Ignacio and Santa Elena and surrounding areas. These efforts will do much to help the SISE Town Council and NEMO to save lives and protect property by mitigating the harmful effects of flooding, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. The Council will continue with these efforts in the immediate future through community education and infrastructure enhancement of drains, streets and culverts” stated Mayor Earl Trapp.

Project Director, Dr. Minerva Pinelo, stated “I grew up experiencing seasonal flooding of our Macal River and knowing that this time of year posed greater risk for my community.  Today, however, we see flooding exacerbated after a few hours of rainfall.  It is therefore important that we also engage actively as residents of our Twin Towns and conduct our own mitigation measures.  Let us keep our drains clean and free of overgrown vegetation and debris.  Let us truly aim to become a more resilient municipality by heeding to lessons learned and promoting best practices and behaviors that will allow us to save property and most importantly lives.”

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