CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has defended the clearing of rivers and canals, saying it is not just a “band-aid solution” but an important step to solve the flooding problem.
The mayor’s statement was in response to a structural engineer who described such measures as temporary.
Archival presented the City’s strategies against flooding on Friday, July 25, 2025, following heavy rains on July 16. The flood prompted the council to declare a state of calamity and release P15 million for desilting operations.
“Because if we don’t do it, we won’t see any relief,” Archival said in Cebuano. “We also saw when we did this during my previous term (as a councilor), we could see the flood subside quickly, and now we are adding more desilting... that’s what I see as a mid-term solution.”
According to Archival, if the waterways are not cleared, heavy rains and high tide can cause water to backflow, flooding streets and homes. The desilting operations will focus on the mouths of the city’s eight major bodies of water — Bulacao River, Kinalumsan River, Guadalupe River, Estero de Parian, Lahug River, Mahiga Creek, Butuanon River and Tagunol Creek.
Besides desilting, Archival also plans to implement ordinances such as requiring water impounding and rainwater catchment facilities. This includes the strict implementation of a “no segregation, no collection” policy to address the garbage problem, which is a major cause of clogged canals. In the mountain barangays, there are plans to desilt gabion dams so they can store more water and prevent overflows into the city. Impounding projects will also be established in Talamban, Budlaan, and Pulangbato.
Archival explained that these facilities not only prevent floods but can also serve as a water source during droughts. The collected silt can be used as filling material, creating livelihood opportunities for residents.
The P15 million from the disaster funds will be used for now. Archival intends to request additional funding for the impounding projects, but he has not yet disclosed the amount. / EHP