TWO business establishments in Cebu City may face potential shutdown if they refuse to address flooding issues on their premises, Mayor Michael Rama warned.
Rama issued the warning to Cebu Country Club in Barangay Kasambagan and Gaisano Country Mall in Barangay Apas, saying these establishments could be forced to close if they do not take immediate measures to resolve the obstruction of rainwater flow through their drainage systems, the Cebu City News and Information reported on its Facebook page on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.
Elaborating on the mayor’s warning, Councilor Jerry Guardo told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday that a week after the flooding incidents at both establishments last September, he contacted their managements, and urged them to review their compliance with City Ordinance 2103, which mandates all establishments to install rainwater catchments.
Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, pointed out that the extensive development of infrastructures, road concreting, and fully paved parking lots had contributed to the flooding in the area.
He also said he had already requested Gaisano Country Mall’s management to redesign the walls enclosing its parking lot to facilitate the unobstructed flow of rainwater to the drainage system.
As for the Cebu Country Club, Guardo said they are currently examining rainwater catchments on its retention pond.
The councilor said a meeting had been arranged with the managements of both establishments a week after the consecutive flooding incidents last September to assess the efficiency of their rainwater catchment systems.
If these systems are found to be inadequate, he said he would insist on the construction of new rainwater catchment systems.
Guardo also revealed that he had requested both managements to submit a building plan to the Office of the Building Official. The Technical Infrastructure Committee would be responsible for assessing their compliance.
SunStar Cebu attempted to obtain information from Rama regarding the timeframe within which both establishments should implement necessary measures to address flooding issues before facing potential shutdown. However, the mayor has not responded to text messages and calls as of this writing. / AML