THE Davao City Engineer's Office (CEO) raised the budget allocated for drainage maintenance this year in compliance with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's priority agenda to polish disaster-risk management.
The City Government has allocated P1,873,600 solely meant for drainage maintenance while there are also 100 more employees assigned to clean the city's waterways with an allocation of P9,745,481 for their salaries.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently installing drainage lines around the city and constructing elevated roads. These projects help remedy the flood problem of Davao, said Felizarta.
Felizarta also noted that the DPWH projects strictly follow the drainage master plan of Davao City.
Felizarta, however, admitted that heavy downpour still causes the rise of water in low-lying areas.
A number of drainage maintenance and repair projects are set for bidding and proposals have been submitted to the City Planning and Development Office for funding.
"Except for fortuitous events, our office maintains the cleaning activities to lessen if not solve the flooding problems, particularly in the city proper," Felizarta said.
The CEO Chief also announced a meeting with members of Japan International Cooperation Agency to build the city's master drainage plan as a solution to flooding.
"Last week, Jica and CEO already met to construct the plan. Most will be on urban areas as it is usually flooded," Felizarta said, adding that most of the barangays in downtown area do not have well-functioning drainage.
"That's why we are maintaining the cleaning and repairing of those areas, like in Bankerohan, to avoid worst scenarios of flooding," he added.
DPWH also came to the city to check the drainage situation in urban areas.
Felizarta said the CEO has already laid out their proposed projects to the City Planning Office.