CH urged: Solve flooding now

CEBU, Philippines — Where is the drainage master plan?

The question is posed by opposition Councilor Joel Garganera to the administration of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Garganera said the plan should be implemented now that the dry season is still here. He said now is the appropriate time to implement projects to address the flooding problem of the city.

“Up to now, I am asking the city government, naa ba sila’y gitawag og drainage master plan? Naa ba sila’y gi-follow nga master plan aron ma-address ang problema sa sapa?” Garganera said.

(Do they have a drainage master plan? Are they following a master plan to address the river problem?)

Garganera said he appreciates the city’s program to rehabilitate the rivers. But, he said that permanent solution to the flooding problem is more important.

“Wala ta kita sa (We do not see the) drainage master plan, everything we do right now is mere palliative. It’s just throwing good money over bad because it will not and never address the issue on flooding,” Gargaanera said.

The city government through the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has been very aggressive in river cleanups with the three rivers--- Bulacao River, Guadalupe River and Lahug River---as priorities.

CCENRO along with the volunteers from private companies collected tons of garbage from the three rivers during the cleanup operations.

Aside from river cleanups, CCENRO also installed biofences on these rivers to trap garbage. The device is made of recycled plastic bottles wrapped in fishnets.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure in the City Council, said the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) is already implementing flood control projects in some barangays such as Tejero, Lahug, Guadalupe, Kalunasan, and Bulacao since February 2018.

The flood control projects are based on Comprehensive Study for Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Master Plan conducted by Woodfields Engineers Company which ended on December 7, 2018.

“Kana gi pang implement sa barangays based na sa recommendations sa study funded by DPWH,” Guardo said.

(Those that are implemented in the barangays are based on the recommendations in the study funded by DPWH)

Guardo said there will be other flood control projects to be implemented soon in other areas of the city. (FREEMAN)