Mandaue City seeks OPAV, DPWH help to solve floods

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has sought the help of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its flood mitigating measures following a massive flooding the city experienced last week.

The city government wants waterways to be dredged and submersible pumps installed in flood-prone areas. Flood mitigation projects are currently being undertaken phase by phase in all creeks, rivers and other waterways in the city.

According to the city’s public information office, they expect flooding to be substantially reduced once all flood mitigation projects are done.

Among the projects currently being undertaken include the Rolling Hills Drainage Project in Banilad; Drainage Project going to E. Espina St. in Banilad (downstream of former LH Prime); Tipolo Creek Flood Control Project Phase 1; and Consuelo Flood Control Project in Basak.

A close coordination the DPWH is also being done for the full implementation next year of the flood control projects at the Butuanon River, Mahiga River, Tipolo Creek, and Basak Creek.

The city wants DPWH to also improve the bridge near Innodata in Barangay Subangdaku to solve the flooding in the area. The city is also working on a possible diversion of Talamban drainage to Mahiga River instead of passing through A.S. Fortuna. —FPL (FREEMAN)