Flood problems

Whenever dark skies blanket Metro Cebu, I get anxious. Last week, the cities and other neighboring towns were inundated by flood. It's not like there is a storm to watch. Apparently, normal thunderstorms are now getting abnormal. What makes it even more abnormal is the fact that these waters do not subside right away. They bring about health hazards, commuter woes, and a ton of hassles. Not to mention, the trash it leaves.

The anxiety isn’t really about the rain per se, as they are normal occurrences in a tropical country like ours. What I’m worried about is the amount of rainfall reaching the ground. The state weather bureau said that thousands of barrels of water were brought by torrential rains. If this becomes normal in the next few months, following a La Niña phenomenon, then I think we are in "waist-deep" trouble.

The Cebu City disaster council has convened and agreed to bring back the identification of danger zones. This seems like a pretty old project that should have been institutionalized already. Although some areas may change, it feels like identifying shouldn't be the immediate action. We want solutions that are for the present to address a present problem.

Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo revealed there are also ongoing flood control projects. This, he adds, could also be the cause of flood since creeks and rivers are constricted because of the equipment. However, these projects take more time to finish. It is literally slower than the rain that comes every now and then.

I spoke to one commuter during my rounds in the city and she said she'd now always bring a pair of slippers. During these erratic times, it is better to be prepared than have her office shoes drenched. It is indeed extra effort, but a wise choice rather than not doing anything.

The immediate community is now adapting to the weird weather patterns we are experiencing. I remember the concept of evolution, where animals also adapted to the living conditions they are in. This holds true even for urban living when we have always aimed for a livable Cebu and a Singapore-like city.

Yet these must be birthing pains. Just like every new administration, there are always hiccups along the way. We can always give them the benefit of the doubt, provided that we still hold our leaders accountable. On another note, we must also be accountable for our own households. If garbage is also a primary cause of the flood, then we must also learn how to dispose of these properly. We can't just ask the public services truck to take care of that. From our household to wherever we go, we must always keep in mind the attitude of being clean. After all, this is what this city is fighting for, right?