FLOOD mitigation projects worth P1.3 billion will soon be implemented in Mandaue City this year.
Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon said on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, that the funds for the projects were successfully secured following the approval and signing of the 2023 General Appropriations Act last year.
Dizon said that funds for the projects will be focused on installing steel sheets on drainage facilities that are part of Mandaue City’s drainage master plan.
It will be implemented in the city’s identified flood-prone areas such as Barangays Alang-alang, Maguikay and Tabok.
“The projects will start as early as March this year. We hope these will all be completed by this year by the DPWH,” Dizon told SunStar Cebu.
Dizon said the construction of these drainage projects is focused on many segments of the Butuanon River such as Barangay Alang-alang, which will have a budget of P40 million. Maguikay will get P220 million, while Barangay Tabok will get an allocation of P200 million.
Dizon also stated that an additional P380 million would be allocated for the other segments of the Butuanon River including the one at Zone Ahos in Barangay Paknaan.
She added that flood control projects will also be implemented at Basak Creek in Barangay Basak, with a budget of P250 million. Another P60 million will be set aside for a flood control structure in Jagobiao Creek.
The implementation of several drainage projects in Mandaue City was hatched in response to a massive flooding that hit several barangays after Butuanon River overflowed on Sept. 9, 2022.
The flood affected 11 out of Mandaue City’s 27 barangays, affecting about 2,000 families and wiping out at least 16 houses.
Following what happened, the Mandaue City Government conducted a roundtable discussion with national government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Office of Civil Defense.
During that discussion, Dizon made a promise to Mayor Jonas Cortes that she would prioritize the appropriation of funds for the flood control projects to help solve the flooding in the city.