Proposed 2013 budget of Cebu City will include solutions to flood problems

LAST Tuesday’s floods reinforced Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s belief in the urgency of constructing a comprehensive drainage sytem.

This is why, he said, the 2013 annual budget proposal will include the implementation of the comprehensive drainage master plan for the city that is projected to cost P2.4 billion.

The mayor said he hopes the City Council will approve the project as it will prevent the loss of lives and property.

Although last Tuesday’s rainfall was less than in last Saturday’s downpour, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan urged local government units to clear canals and rivers.

Cebu City Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) Chief Kenneth Enriquez, an engineer, said 60 percent of the city’s sewers is silted and old.

Waste management

“It is really no good that’s why di na ka-handle sa uwan (The existing drainage system cannot cope with the volume of rain),” she said.

She said the implementation of the comprehensive drainage master plan, along with proper solid waste management, will address the problem.

The mayor formed a flood mitigation and drainage task force that proposed a comprehensive drainage master plan, which will cost P2.4 billion.

The City Government adopted in 2006 a flood mitigation and drainage master plan that was projected to cost P550 million.

Urban planner Pedro Adonis Compendio, a member of the present task force, said the cost estimates in the 2006 plan were based on 2004 prices. Compendio, who also helped prepare the 2006 master plan, said the prices of construction materials have increased by at least 30 percent since 2006.

Coverage

The P2.4-billion comprehensive drainage master plan covers the installation of rainwater tanks (P60 million) and infiltration beds (P38.5 million); construction of detention basins or mini-dams (P64.5 million), and channel and waterways clearing improvement (P1.8-billion); drainage improvement and installation of new drainage trunks (P414 million); and desilting (P77 million).

The program also includes road right-of-way acquisition, amounting to P343.1 million.

An appropriation of P19.5 million will be spent for public education and participation program which will include policy issuances, ordinance mapping and conduct of surveys.

The master plan will also include policy support development for the effective enforcement of laws and ordinances, estimated to cost about P18 million.

Finalizing

Asked where the City will get funds for the implementation of the master plan, Rama said the matter is being handled by the local finance committee.

At present, the executive branch at City Hall is finalizing the proposed annual budget for 2013. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the City Council next month.

Meanwhile, Pagasa Mactan Chief Oscar Tabada said the weather bureau is considering on setting up rain gauge equipment in several sites in Metro Cebu to identify the area’s rainfall capacity.

He said the information can help predict the level of flooding in affected areas.

Tabada said the map of flood-prone areas prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and rain gauge readings of Pagasa will become part of the database needed for effective rainfall forecasting.

Tabada said LGUs should help by setting up rain gauges in their areas.