Drainage master plan needs P15M-NEDA-7

CEBU, Philippines - Up to P15 million will be needed for the study to create the Integrated Master Drainage Plan for Metro Cebu which is seen to solve the flooding problem that besets the metropolitan.

The National Economic and Development Authority however said that they are still discussing with the Department of Public Works and Highways where to source the funds.

NEDA-7 Director Atty. Buenaventura Go-Soco Jr. said they do not know yet how much DPWH is willing to shoulder.

The Regional Development Council in the region (RDC-7) has agreed to tap the expertise of DPWH in Manila which is more equipped for the purpose.

The integrated master plan is RDC’s response to the call of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) for help to solve the flooding problem that is getting worse in the cities of Cebu, Talisay and Mandaue.

DPWH committed to undertake the study but asked the 13 Local Government Units comprising Metro Cebu for a counterpart fund for the project.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who chairs RDC-7, said they still have to discuss how much amount the city can commit for the project.

But he said if DPWH can allocate hundreds of millions of funds for flyover projects and non-dilapidated roads, why can’t it allocate P10 million to P15 million for a drainage plan that shall cover 13 cities and municipalities.

Earlier, Rama said the city government is willing to give a counterpart if he can secure a budget.

In his proposed Annual Budget for this year, the mayor included a budget of P10 million for the drainage master plan study, among others, but it was not among the items that gets the priority of the city council.

Of the P50 million he proposed for various studies, only P500,000 was approved.  (FREEMAN)