DRAINAGE improvement will be done as a component of the road-widening project proposed along MJ Cuenco Avenue in barangay Mabolo, public works officials said last Monday.
Engr. Nicomedes Leonor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City district office said they intend to replace the small culverts measuring one to two feet with 36 inch culverts.
These bigger culverts will be installed under the sidewalk from the corner of General Maxilom Avenue to C. Mina Street near the Mabolo church to enhance water absorption especially during the rains.
Leonor said drainage improvement will be funded from the P180 million appropriation for the road widening project.
“Improvement of the drainage system will address flooding from Imus Road to the Mabolo area,” he said.
Jerry Gloria, owner of the Mabolo Bam-i House, reiterated the need for drainage improvement in barangay Mabolo during a consultation with Leonor and former north district congressman Raul del Mar held on Saturday night.
Gloria told Leonor that floodwaters from upstream and those from the Cebu Business Park compound which flows into a portion of the Mahiga Creek located across the Ayala access road would overflow when there are heavy rains.
“Mo back flow ang tubig kay gamay man ang agi anan sa tubig dinhing dapita (The water would back flow since there is only a small space for it to pass through),” she said.
Gloria said nearby properties including a vacant fenced lot owned by former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia that further constrict the flow of floodwater.
“When the property wasn’t fenced yet, the floodwater easily passes through,” Gloria said.
Leonor said they will have to dredge that portion of the Mahiga Creek to deepen it and allow it to accommodate more floodwater.
Since that part of the creek is constricted and surrounded by concrete walls, setting up the dredging machine may be difficult to do, Leonor said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac