THE flow of drainage in some parts of Mandaue City is expected to improve within the next few months after flood mitigation projects are put in place beginning June 2023.
The projects will include flood control structures and sheet piling in two areas of the city along Butuanon River.
Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on, chief of staff of Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie Marie Ouano-Dizon, told SunStar Cebu on Monday, May 29, that the projects will be implemented in Sitio Li-ong in Barangay Alang-Alang and Tipolo Creek in Barangay Guizo.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will carry out the projects, as it allocated P40 million for the flood control project in Sitio Li-ong, Barangay Alang-alang and P180 million for additional sheet pile structures that are seen to improve the drainage flow in Tipolo Creek.
Sitio Li-ong is a mostly residential area with a few business establishments. Malig-on said no families will be displaced by the project.
Last May 26, purok president Mercidita Jubay, 50, of Sitio Li-ong asked Ouano-Dizon for the swift execution and expansion of flood mitigation projects along the Butuanon River, which crosses 10 barangays in Cebu City and 11 in Mandaue City.
Nearly half for flood, drains
Ouano-Dizon announced in January this year that the projects will soon be implemented in Mandaue following the approval and signing of the 2023 General Appropriations Act last year.
Ouano-Dizon said 44 percent of the P1.3 billion total infrastructure budget of her district will go to flood control and drainage projects, while 12 percent will be allocated for road asphalting.
The remaining 44 percent of the budget will be used for other projects such as bridge rehabilitation or retrofitting, multi-purpose buildings or covered gyms, road concreting and rehabilitation, streetlights and a water system.
Takes time
Malig-on explained that it took time for the government to implement the projects for Sitio Li-ong and Tipolo Creek because of the procurement process, which usually lasts two to three months.
“The projects were not delayed. The procurement process just takes time with survey, preparation of the program of work, bidding, award etc.,” Malig-on said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Ouano-Dizon said she also wants to help the flood control project planned for A.S. Fortuna St. in Barangay Banilad.
But the Mandaue City government has yet to settle a road-right-of-way issue in the area toward the outfall in Mahiga Creek.
“Hopefully, it will be cleared so I can put funds from the General Appropriations Act for that,” said Ouano-Dizon.
Opav meeting
Last May 22, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes met with representatives of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (Opav) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to discuss the city’s flooding problem.
Cortes said the City has four flood mitigation projects, which include the Rolling Hills drainage project in Banilad, a drainage project going to E. Espina St., Banilad, Tipolo Creek Flood Control Project Phase 1; and Consuelo Flood Control Project in Barangay Basak.
The City is coordinating with the DPWH for dredging at the river outfalls, creeks and waterways, as well as for the installation of submersible pumps in identified flooded areas of Mandaue.
The City and the DPWH also set flood control projects along Butuanon River, Mahiga River, Tipolo Creek and Basak Creek for next year; as well as on the improvement of the bridge near Innodata in Barangay Subangdaku.
Ouano-Dizon had met with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Assistant Secretary Joy Manginsay to discuss the flooding and overflowing of Mandaue City drainage in order to help the city government address the problems.
“It was positive. I look forward to more attention and resources from the national government through DPWH regarding our floods. This will be of great help to the city,” Ouano-Dizon said.