‘Artificial river’ mulled as anti-flood measure

An artificial river is being considered to eliminate flooding in the North Reclamation area, Cebu City officials said yesterday.

Joey Daluz III, chief of the Reduction of Danger Zones (REDZ) task force, said the artificial river will start from MJ Cuenco Avenue and head straight to block 27 which has a curved path.

“This will ease the flow of water in the area near Pepsi at the back of APM mall where two river paths converge. Detention ponds will store the water and slowly release it after the rains,” Daluz said.

The collected water can be treated for use to put out fires and water the plants in the city’s parks, Daluz added.

The proposed artificial river will measure 250 meters long, 10 meters wide and 30 meters deep. It will occupy 2,500 hectares of private property. Daluz said the land is owned by Gaisano and Young.

Daluz added that they plan to tap a P5 billion budget from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In line with this, settlers occupying the 98 structures in the area were sent notices last Friday, he said.

“We’re giving them 15 days to voluntarily remove their structures or vacate the area,” City Attorney Jerone Castillo said.

After that, the city government will clear the area.

The task force agreed to propose the allocation of a portion of block 27 for a medium-rise condominium for affected residents.

Daluz said they will recommend the area to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. But at a later press conference, Rama said he doesn’t want block 27 to be used for relocation.

“If we can offer the area to SM at the right price, it can be developed to a beautiful real estate,” Rama said. /Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Correspondent