Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja Calls For A Centralized Ibaan D...

Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja Calls For A Centralized Ibaan D...: "By Ibaan Ito In the past years, administration of previous Barangay Chairmen of different barangays in the Municipality of Ibaan have been ..."

Mayor Danny Toreja Calls For A Centralized Ibaan Drainage System

By Ibaan Ito

In the past years, administration of previous Barangay Chairmen of different barangays in the Municipality of Ibaan have been constructing and installing open canals and open drainage system in an effort to beautify their area of responsibility. This may have afforded number of benefits to the residents, but there still a long prevailing problem that needs to be addressed.

In a meeting with Barangay Chairmen, Mayor Danny Toreja called for one centralized drainage system that will connect and identify the water floods flow and direction during rainy season. He considers this to be an issue that needs to be addressed since some of the barangays, particularly those situated along high ways often times get flooded, causing risks and danger not only to residents but also to motorists.

According to him, the efforts spent with regard to drainage systems were done with the intention of developing the social environment of the people. However, there are times when these open canals hardly perform their purpose. He attributed this to the some uneven leveling of drainage system that disrupt the continuous flow of water, including their last stop or as to where the canal will end.

To have a clearer picture of the situation, he has tasked the Municipal Engineering Office headed by Engr. Mario Samson to go around different barangays to inspect existing drainage system and to determine possibilities of constructing canals in barangays without drainage system. Along with this, Mayor Toreja also informed the Barangay Chairmen that he has asked and coordinated with Provincial District Engineering Office that they be furnished with an inventory of drainage systems in Ibaan. His office will also seek help and assistance in assessing and in drafting plans for a centralized drainage system, focusing on barangays along highways.

Engr. Samson, on the other hand, said that there are factors that contribute for some drainage system’s failure to perform their purpose. Based on his observations, after their construction, either plants or flower/plant boxes were placed in front of open canal, hindering the water from going to open canals themselves. This result for rain water to stay on the road which affects the latter’s integrity. Also, old “natural” water ways were neither covered nor redirected causing changes on their elevation –ending up with an overflow with water spilling around the area. The size of culverts installed in converging point of the drainage system also contributes to the problem.

Mayor Toreja further explained that for a municipality to attract investments, its social infrastructures must be improved and developed. Drainage systems might be the least of investors’ concern, but if the municipality can perfect even the simplest infrastructure, this can deliver a good impressions for the municipality to probable investors.

Barangay Chairmen for their part, as represented by ABC President Hano Portugal, pledged their support on the said project.

Barangay Road Inventory

In the same meeting, Mayor Toreja also asked the Barangay Chairmen to make an inventory of their barangay roads for possible government funding in the future. He also asked them to submit to Sangguniang Bayan and Engineering Office for assessment any planned road openings in their area.

According to him, barangay road problems often stem from the barangay administration’s failure to secure Deed of Donation from the land owner where the roads are constructed. He explained that without the said Deed of Donation, the family members of the land owner will always have the right to claim any donations made to the barangay. If this prevails, no matter how much the residents clamor for any infrastructures, funding from the government will not be made. Worst, in case government funds were used on private property, this might result to a malversation of public fund or falsification of public document case filed against the concerned elective municipal or barangay official.

In line with this, both Mayor Toreja and Engr. Samson convinced Barangay Chairmen to draft their Development Plan to provide directions as to where their leadership will be and for easier identification of priority projects.

Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja Officiates Roland Cabael and Ma...

Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja Officiates Roland Cabael and Ma...: "Mayor Toreja congratulating the newly wed couple Roland and Malou. By Ibaan Ito As authorized by Art. 56 (4) of the Civil Code of the Phi..."

Mayor Danny Toreja Officiates Roland Cabael and Marilou Bautro Civil Wedding

Mayor Toreja congratulating the newly wed couple Roland and Marilou.

As authorized by Art. 56 (4) of the Civil Code of the Philippines, Mayor Danny Toreja officiated and solemnized the civil wedding of Roland Cabael from Brgy. San Agustin, Ibaan, Batangas and Marilou Bautro of Batangas at the Mayor's Office, January 24.

After going through the ceremony, Mayor Toreja told the newly weds to strengthen the bond of their marriage through constant communication and by giving respect to each other. He also added that although it may be easy to enter into a contract of marriage, difficulties arise on the performance of both parties' duties, responsibilities, and obligations of married couples. However, nothing is more sweeter that sharing one's life with the one that you love the most, he added.

Major Danny Toreja also reminded the principal sponsors of their duties and responsibilities as "second parents" to remain in touch with the newly weds since they can provide the guidance the latter in building a family which is the primary objective of getting married.

The wedding was witnessed by Municipality of Ibaan Vice-Mayor Sixto Yabyabin and his wife who stood as principal sponsors, Mr. Cabael's mother and friends.

Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja At Brgy. Munting Tubig Barangay...

Ito ang Ibaan!: Mayor Danny Toreja At Brgy. Munting Tubig Barangay...: "Mayor Danny Toreja entertaining inquiries from the audience regarding his plans for Brgy. Munting Tubig. By Ibaan Ito. True to his vision..."

Mayor Danny Toreja At Brgy. Munting Tubig Barangay Assembly

Mayor Danny Toreja entertaining inquiries
from the audience regarding
his plans for Brgy. Munting Tubig.

True to his vision of establishing and strengthening effective working relationship with the constituents in the Municipality of Ibaan, Mayor Danny Toreja attended the Barangay Assembly at Brgy. Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas, January 15.

At the said event, he again urged the people to remain steadfast in supporting the local government's projects. He also gave the community an insights of his plans for the said barangay which include improvement of drainage system and other future infrastructures that will surely

Residents were on smile
after hearing Mayor Toreja's
project for the barangay.

benefit them. In his speech, he assured them that he's working hard in finding fund grants, in coordination with different public and private agencies, that will be allocated to finance future infrastructures in the area. He hopes to raise the amount of P10 million for the said barangay.

Munting Tubig Brgy. Capt. Domingo Acebo
explaining the importance of the Assembly.

This might be far-pitch plans, but "I will definitely run after different agencies to make this a reality", he said.

The residents of Munting Tubig on the other hand were mightily happy to hear what Mayor Toreja uttered to them. For them, if said plan prospers, this will be the biggest allocation they will receive so far since the barangay

Mayor Toreja sharing light moments
with Brgy. Capt. Acebo.

was established and after different local municipal administrations.

The event was organized by Brgy. Munting Tubig officials who also presented to the people the Barangay Ordinances they intend to implement. Participants were also informed as to where and how the

"Thank You" is all what Mayor Toreja
can say to the people
of Brgy. Munting Tubig.

barangay budget is to be allocated which amounts to around P110,000.00 for the fiscal year 2011.

SK Chairman Gian Carlo Porillo also provided an overview of his council's projects and expenditures for the same year.
Mayor Toreja's family hailed from Brgy. Munting Tubig before they moved down town. His gestures were made in return for the peoples unwavering support to his family for a long period of time.