Fix and Budget: The Dilemma on Drainage Canals in Brgy. Longos

Proposal for a citizen journalism report

Community: Longos, Balagtas, Bulacan

Topic

The problem of not being able to fix drainage canals because of the constricted budget in the barangay.

Summary

In an interview with the barangay captain, he mentioned the problem of drainage canals, one of the citizen respondents to the past survey also mentioned this problem. According to the barangay captain, with the limited budget of the barangay, it was then allocated for the pandemic response, resulting in a shortage of budget dedicated to fixing drainage canals. It is a pressing concern for the community as it can cause flooding that damages property and endangers lives especially when the rainy season comes.

Some of the drainage canals in the Galvez St., that are also easily flooded when it rains.

Rationale

• Covering this issue would be an avenue for the residents to voice out their concerns and experiences regarding the issue at hand, especially as they are the ones being affected by the consequences of unfixed drainage canals.

• This would hold the barangay officials accountable regarding the budget for this issue, to know if there are any plans to address and resolve this problem, which is important for the people to know if they are being heard.

• Pursuing the story would provide a clear image of the problem from both the officials and the residents.

• The report can help in moving the officials to take action on the issue at hand especially when presented with the aftermath of undermaintained drainage canals;

  1. The problem in the drainage canals could result in flooding, endangering lives and destroying property.

  2. The water on drainage canals could be a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes.

  3. Water could build up, and may affect the surroundings like the soil eroding or killing some plants on the ground

  4. Under-maintained drainage could lead to lingering foul odors that may disturb the street/neighborhood.

  5. Some streets are hard to reach because of the puddle of water or flooding that immediately happens even with a little bit of rain.

Explanation

In pursuing the story, the interviews would be the vital aspect in gathering information needed to present the story of this issue of drainage canals. That is why, in this case, the primary sources or interviewees that I would pursue includes the Barangay Captain as the head in leading the community to get the details regarding this issue as well as if there are any plans laid out in addressing this issue. Through the barangay captain, I could also inquire about the people I could ask regarding this issue. Other interviewees also include some Barangay Kagawad to have insights from the Sangguniang Barangay especially their take and experiences on this matter because before they were barangay officials they are also residents in this community that has also experienced this problem. Also, as this problem exists because of a constricted budget, another interviewee would be the Barangay Treasurer. Through this official, I would be able to inquire about the current budget, how it will be used to address this issue, or if there are any plans to ask for an additional amount for the budget to solve this problem.

Aside from these officials, if there are already plans for fixing the drainage canals, it would be useful to have a secondary perspective from the experts assigned to the project, such as the engineer. Through this expert, it could offer a new perspective, as well as the plan on how the project would proceed especially if it will happen with a constricted budget. After these people who hold authority within the community, some of the residents' opinions are important to be heard. They'll be one of the interviewees as they are the ones experiencing the aftermath of this issue. In interviewing them, it is important to ask about their experiences and problems they have faced because of the drainage canals. It is also their chance to voice out recommendations in addressing this issue. By interviewing the residents, I would be able to have perspectives on this issue that the officials could not give. In short, the residents being the ones experiencing this issue first hand, can offer a close up image of the problem.

The story would also include pictures of drainage canals, especially those streets whose canals are easily flooded even with a small amount of rain. The documents concerning the plan for fixing the drainage canals, especially the budget for it is also needed, if the barangay officials would give permission to look at it and use it for the story.

In building the story, background information on the problem would be included as well as the repercussions that may happen if this issue wouldn't be addressed. Thus, in pursuing the story, the statements of the barangay officials are vital to give a comprehensive overview of the problem especially on the matter of addressing it. While on the other hand, the residents' words would offer the close up image of their experience on that issue that would highlight why this matter is something that should be talked about in the community.

In the end, the story would revolve on shedding light on this issue while also pursuing if there are any plans or hopes on the matter that it would be addressed and solved soon.