Flood leaves Mambaling underpass impassable for hours
CEBU, Philippines — Mambabling underpass in the south district of Cebu City was flooded and completely impassable for several hours after a heavy downpour yesterday, Holy Wednesday.
The situation caused traffic jams on Natalio Bacalso Avenue.
Land Transportation Office Region 7 Director Victor Caindec and Cebu City South District Representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa were among those who complained about the flooding.
Caindec, in a Facebook post yesterday, said the project is “now finally living up to its reputation as an P800 million canal.”
“Wa na gyud intawn gibaha sa taas. Ninaog na gyud ang tubig sa ubos,” he said. The director posted photos and a video on his Facebook account.
It has been tagged as a flood-prone area.
The underpass, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) project, was built to address the traffic bottlenecks in the southern district and the flooding in the said area.
It became operational in 2019.
Abellanosa, also in a Facebook post, attributed the flooding in the underpass to the big diversion pipes.
He also criticized the present administration (the Labella-Rama administration) for installing the said pipes.
“Gibaha na ang Mambaling underpass karon (yesterday) nga wala man na nagbaha sa una. Nanaog ang tubig gikan sa drainage sa ibabaw ngadto sa underpass kay gihimoan man og ‘hagdanan’ (big diversion pipes) sa inyong administration karon. Bright gyud,” he said.
City Councilor Jerry Guardo, who also sits as chairman of the City Council’s committee on infrastructure, said the underpass’ four pumps were actually functioning when rain poured yesterday morning, but they failed to prevent flooding in the area. — KQD (FREEMAN)
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