Rama: P2.4 billion drainage project a priority

The onset of the rainy season and floods across Metro Cebu brought by torrential rains last Wednesday evening has Mayor Michael Rama again drumbeating the need for the city to implement the city’s updated drainage masterplan.

“You wait until I deliver my inaugural speech naa koy focus nga in this three years unsa atoang mga mechanisms, what approaches we will be adopting,” he said.

Based on the updated master plan of the city, the P2.4 billion project cost will cover flood-mitigating infrastructure, including the installation of rainwater tanks and infiltration beds, as well as the construction of detention basins and mini dams.

It will also include clearing and improvement of channels and waterways, drainage improvement and installation of new drainage trunks and desilting.

The mayor also asked the public to do their part in preventing floods in the city.

“Again, I am appealing to all. Let’s all clean,” he said.

The mayor personally inspected some in the city last Wednesday night after heavy rains caused flooding in some areas.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) operations head Alvin Santillana said they accompanied the mayor in monitoring the flood affected areas.

The Basak Pardo Emergency Response (BPER) team headed by Basak Pardo captain Dave Tumulak also joined the mayor.

The group observed “more than normal height of flooding” in sitio Tambis in barangay Tisa as well as in sitios Magtalisay and Sindulan in barangay Mabolo where the Mahiga Creek is located.

Santillana also said they observed flooding in the South Road Properties near the construction site of the SM Seaside City. He blamed the construction on the clogging of drainage in the area.

They saw five vehicles in the area which conked out after caught by the flood.

Santillana said they already contacted the management of SM to clean the drainage to mitigate flooding.

He again asked the public especially those living in hazard areas to immediately evacuate before water levels rise.

“Do not wait for the government to tell you to evacuate. You know your area better. Evacuation is always better than rescue,” he said.

Santillana also said that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed by the City Hall in major thoroughfares were able to help them in monitoring the floods.

The initial 20 CCTV cameras are located in major thoroughfares in the city’s streets mainly to monitor crimes.

Santillana said installation of all the CCTV in major thoroughfares and identified hazard areas will improve their response to disasters likes floods.