THE Mandaue City Government aims to revive and fully implement its long-planned comprehensive drainage system to address the city’s flood problem.
This, after some of the city’s areas were submerged in chest-deep waters over the last two weeks just within minutes from a series downpours that hit Metro Cebu.
John Eddu Ibañez, executive secretary of Mayor Jonas Cortes, told reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, that Cortes had called a meeting with the heads of the City’s engineering, planning development, legal, budget, and administration offices last Monday, Aug. 15.
Ibañez said the meeting tackled the implementation of a comprehensive drainage system throughout Mandaue that will prioritize flood-prone areas like M.C. Briones St. in Barangay Tipolo, A.C. Cortes Ave. in Barangay Ibabao, and A.S. Fortuna St. in Barangay Banilad, among others.
The drainage plan, discussed way back in 2019, is believed to be the long-term solution to Mandaue’s decades-long flooding problems by developing a waterways connection from barangays’ major streets to major creeks.
In 2020, the City Planning and Development Office said they needed at least P3 billion for the comprehensive drainage system and flood mitigating measures after conducting a feasibility study.
Ibañez said Cortes hopes to fully implement the plan within three years and calls on the national government to provide additional funds for the full implementation of the project.
Ibanez also said they will look into the city’s main riverside areas, such as Zone Ahos and Zone Sili in Barangay Paknaan to put up an embankment as a temporary flood-mitigating measure while the construction of a riprap retaining wall in these areas by the Department of Public Works and Highways is still ongoing.
Another preventive measure discussed during the meeting is the elevation of low-level bridges that cause water to overflow into the streets.
Ibañez added that the City will continue to clear the three-meter easement along major rivers and relocate informal settlers.
He called on affected residents to cooperate in the operations as these are meant to save them from possible danger during floods aside from clearing the city’s waterways.
Following heavy rains this August, at least six areas in Mandaue became impassable after they were immersed in knee- to chest-deep waters.
Around 85 families or 400 individuals were also evacuated after the rivers in Barangay Casuntingan and the Cambugaong River in Barangay Umapad overflowed.
On Saturday, Aug. 13, Banilad Barangay Captain Greg Yap said he will appeal to Cortes and Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon to address the worsening flood situation and come up with concrete solutions, particularly for A.S. Fortuna St.
Yap also sought the city government’s help in convincing two establishments that have allegedly constructed driveways above Mahiga Creek, to demolish their structures which, he said, have worsened flooding in the Banilad area.