MCWD to LGUs: Relocate families living downstream of Buhisan dam

CEBU, Philippines - The Metropolitan Cebu Water District has reiterated its recommendation for the local government units to relocate the families living downstream of Buhisan dam.  Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD public affairs manager, said that based on their study in 2008 there were around 2,000 families living in the area. The number could be doubled by now.

“It’s LGUs responsibility to relocate the families. Wa pa na sila, naa na ang dam nganha,” Kara said.

According to her, the dam has been there for 103 years now.

The Barangay Council of Buhisan has requested the water district to reduce the volume of water in the dam. The request was made in order to give more allowance should there be a heavy downpour like what happened last Tuesday.

Kara explained that the water level in the dam continue to rise despite efforts to use and even flush out water because of the water coming from the tributary rivers and springs.

In fact, despite the absence of rain in the Buhisan watershed the water production in the dam was 4,910 cubic meters last Friday. It was higher than the 3,140 cubic meters last Thursday.  The Buhisan dam can accommodate as much as 10,000 cubic meters.

However, the heavy rains last Tuesday have caused the water in the dam to overflow causing floods in the communities downstream. —/FPL (FREEMAN)