Tomas plans rainwater catchment to address flooding

CEBU, Philippines - To address the perennial problem on flooding in Cebu City, South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña eyes putting huge culverts under the roads to act as rainwater catchment facility during heavy rains.

“We’re working on a system to address the problem on drainage in the south highway,” said Osmeña in an interveiw with reporters.

The congressman said big holes will be carved from the roads where the huge box-type culverts will be placed. These culverts will then become the impounding area of floodwater coming from every direction.

“If it overflows, gamay ra,” he said.

Once the rain stops, the water will then be pumped out of the rainwater catchment facility.

Osmeña said that several areas of the entire south district will be included in the project, with areas in the center of the city as the priority.

A survey about this program is currently still underway, but Osmeña said the likelihood that this is feasible is high considering that this is already being adapted in some areas in the country like Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Also, this has the support of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson who assured to take care of its implementation. The Fort Bonifacio drainage system was also reportedly Singson’s idea, he shared.

“I chose this because Singson used this approach in Fort Bonifacio. When it was developed, water washed away...so they built a big hole and covered it to contain the water,” he explained.

Osmeña said he subscribes to the idea not only because he sees it as feasible in Cebu City. For him, it is also a “cheap” alternative.  (FREEMAN)