Council wants drainage projects prioritized

THE City Council of Cebu has urged the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) to prioritize improving drainage in the city.

DEPW head Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez was asked by the City Council yesterday to brief them on the proposed P2.6 billion Drainage Master Plan (DMP) and the status of drainage projects.

Councilor Nida Cabrera also requested DEPW to prioritize areas in Mabolo which have been experiencing severe flooding.

On the drainage improvement projects, Enriquez said that they have finished dredging the waterways in T. Padilla and Tejero. Partial dredging of the Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo has also been started, she added.

But councilor Noel Wenceslao noted that “it’s as if there’s no improvement” in the areas.

Councilor Sisinio Andales also pointed out that if the sea outlets of the waterways are not cleared, the problem of flooding will not be addressed.

Enriquez agreed, and explained that the DMP will address all issues from upstream to downstream of the waterways.

For clearing and widening the channels of the seven major waterways and rivers in the city, P1.88 billion is needed.

The DMP she added involves installation of infiltration beds, mini dams, new drainage trunks in areas where there’s none, rehabilitation of existing drainage and channel improvements including rivers, Enriquez said.

The DEPW listed the following as the city’s major waterways: Bulacao River, Tagunol Waterway, Kinalumsan River, Guadalupe River, Pari-an Estero, Lahug River and Mahiga Creek.

An executive session is scheduled next week where Enriquez will explain in detail the DMP as well as their plans in its implementation as well as its budget.