SAN PEDRO CITY — A number of proposals such as improving the city's drainage system, sewers, construction of pumping stations and flood control gates heading to the rivers up to the Laguna Lake have been discussed during an inter-agency meeting among local government units and Rep. Ann Matibag on Saturday here.

"One of the biggest problems the city is facing nowadays is the perennial problem of flooding every time there is a typhoon, that's why an inter-agency meeting is called to find solutions" said Matibag, who called for the inter-meeting among the local government units.

Matibag together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Disaster Risk Reduction and the Management Council (NDRRMC), San Pedro's city engineers, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) met at the Silid Quatro SAX in Barangay San Antonio in San Pedro City during the meeting.

During Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, 11 of a total 27 barangay in the city were submerged in floods, especially the areas near the Laguna Lake. Flooding forced the people to evacuate to evacuation centers.

The flooding caused by the severe typhoon affected the businesses, properties, school activities, economic growth, and the health of the city residents.

"I thank the DPWH, NDRRMC, our engineers and LLDA for their suggestions, and I am hopeful that these will be acted upon promptly to solve the floodings," the lawmaker said.

Matibag, who will be running unopposed for another congressional term, and the rest of the inter-agencies also shared another possible solution, which is to filter the rainwater for people's use.

"I will make sure that we will maximize to the fullest the use of government resources to accomplish these projects. I seek unity and the cooperation of everyone to realize these," said Matibag.

Matibag and her husband, lawyer Melvin Matibag, and several LGU's agencies are currently working to help the city residents recover from the shock of Kristine's onslaught.