Cortes wants consultation on DPWH’s infra projects

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes wants a consultation with the city before the Department of Public Works and Highways implements its own infrastructure projects in the city.

“We are not saying that we will dictate sa unsay national government or agencies nga projects ilang i-implement kay who am I to dictate. We have our existing plans for the city. We have our own City Planning Office and we have our own City Development Council nga well represented ang different barangays. Mas maayo naay consultation prior the implementation,” the mayor said in an interview yesterday.

Cortes said that if there is a consultation before implementation, wastage of government funds are avoided.

“Possible pag overlap ang project sa city ug DPWH. Unya lisud baya nga mag-realign na sad,” he said.

Cortes said that there must be a prioritization of infrastructure projects done by DPWH in the city like the drainage problem first and not asphalting.

“I am not saying nga dili importante ang asphalting, ang akoa lang dapat i-prioritize nila ang drainage labi na nakasinati na sad ta og grabeng baha last Friday,” Cortes said.

“Drainage sa ang unahaon. Stop sa ang asphalting. Kay constant problem baha, balik balik na. What happened last Friday is a wake-up call and we should focus on drainage,” Cortes said.

The mayor added that proper silting of the city’s river should be made as a maintenance.

“Ang silt sa creek dapat maintenance gyud unta ni dili kay mohunong og tagpila ka tuig call. Ang silting sa atong mga creek nagka grabe kada tuig,” he said.

It can be recalled that Mandaue CDRRMO personnel rescued teachers and pupils in Mayor A.S. Fortuna Memorial Elementary School (Guizo Elementary School) and assisted stranded commuters in the flooded areas in Mandaue City after the heavy downpour experienced last Friday.

While the City Social Welfare Services distributed food packs to almost 300 individuals who were affected due to the said flooding as they were temporarily sheltered at Ibabao Estancia Gym and Tipolo Elementary School Gym.

The flood victims however returned to their respective homes after the flood waters subside around 6 p.m.

“Daghan factors ngano grabe ang baha. Dili na lang ta magtinudluay kinsay sala. Kay ang atong culvert nga pwerteng nang dakoa, napuno sa basura. This flooding problem requires community effort. Magtinabangay tang tanan nga masulbad ning problemaha,” the mayor further said. — (FREEMAN)