City reviving ‘lost river’

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has laid out several "solutions" to recover the “lost river” that crosses Sikatuna Street in Barangay Parian, including the immediate clearing of debris and garbage done yesterday.

The City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) led the clearing operation with over four truckloads of garbage initially collected.

The FREEMAN, though, learned that DEPW personnel have been doing this several times already and the problem just keeps on recurring, which means more should be done to solve flooding in Parian, particularly at the junction of Sikatuna and Bonifacio streets.

Residents also said that while the city government already did a survey and conducted interviews regarding their woes, no improvements have been introduced and the problem has even worsened.

In particular, a resident said an embankment that used to be more than a meter deep is now just less than a foot, which is why water immediately overflows when it rains.

CCDRRMO Chief Harold Alcontin said they have already identified the problems and laid out their plans for the area.

“Mao gyud na atong problema sa river karon kay bahaw na kaayo. Gamay siya…ang silt hapit na ni-level sa dan. Mao nay atong i-priority,” he said.

He said that after clearing all debris and garbage that blocked the natural flow of the river, they would cut down today a tree that has caused the water to backflow.

Alcontin also said that he would ask for Mayor Mike Rama’s approval for CCDRRMC to seek the assistance of contractors to lend them the equipment to collect all garbage and clear the embankments.

“Manghuwam mi'g duha ka dozer, three to five mini-dumptrucks, para mupahawan sa mga embankment…, para mahawan ang sapa. Pwerte nang gamaya sa sapa,” he said.

Alcontin said dredging of the river starting from Pier 3 going to the area would then follow.

“Para inigka-lawom na didto, haros na diri,” he said.

Alcontin said the recovery of the three-meter easement on both of sides is also expected as part of the long-term solution to bring the seemingly lost river back to life. — (FREEMAN)