The city government of Batac has purchased four backhoes to be used in clearing idle lots to grow off-season vegetables and waterways to reduce incidents of flooding.

The backhoes were among the agriculture and disaster-related heavy equipment unveiled at a formal launching and blessing held in front of the Imelda Cultural Center, in time for the city’s 16th charter anniversary.

Mayor Albert Chua said in a media statement Friday that the equipment will be used in the massive cleanup of waterways and the leveling up of idle lots where off-season vegetables will be planted.

A civil engineer by profession, Chua recognized the need to invest in the long-term use of heavy equipment to propel Batac’s flourishing industry.

“The newly-acquired backhoes will be readily available for our constituents to improve their way of life,” he said in an interview.

The equipment is also complemented with some accessories such as those used in cracking old cement and in the maintenance of line canals.

The operation and management of the equipment will be handled by the City Engineering Office, Chua said.

Meanwhile, the city government has also inaugurated the improvement of the multi-purpose covered courts of Barangays Pimentel and Parangopong, as well as the extension of the covered court of the Bungon National High School and the water system of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School. (PNA)