The city government of Puerto Princesa is now ramping its efforts to implement 14 new flood mitigation projects aimed at managing floods in identified high-risk zones months after it was engulfed in floodwaters.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron, despite admitting losing votes in some flood-prone barangays in the months leading to the local elections, announced that his administration will this time take the city’s flooding problem seriously.
Among the barangays prioritized by for this year’s flood control projects include San Miguel, Bancao-Bancao, Tiniguiban, San Jose, Tagburos, San Pedro, and San Manuel.
The city government was heavily criticized for its lack of effective solutions to a problem that has lasted for years – an issue clearly evident in the outcome of the recent elections.
To recall, on February 2025, Puerto Princesa experienced a record-breaking rainfall when it received 352mm of rain from 8AM of February 9 until 8AM the following day, caused by a shear line and low-pressure area that converged over Palawan.
Based on official records, the rainfall was almost 12 times the normal amount for February.
With the advent of social media, residents of Puerto Princesa aired their grievances online, allowing public knowledge to the city’s worsening flood problems. Among the vocal netizens was Noriam Gabo, a resident of Libis in Barangay San Pedro, who said that they endured flooding, garbage issues and unpaved roads, with repeated appeals to City Hall allegedly fallen on deaf ears.
She also questioned how the city’s flood problems could still be downplayed after Mayor Bayron’s five terms in office, pointing out that affected communities—like her subdivision in Libis—have long suffered in silence.
Currently, the city government implements two flood projects in San Pedro and San Manuel. The 14 additional projects, identified for implementation this year, are based from the city’s Drainage Master Plan.
Some areas will be provided with simple drainage connections, while low-lying zones will require pumping stations. Sewage treatment plants will also be constructed in strategic areas and identified outfalls to maintain the water quality of the water discharged to natural water bodies.
