Mandaue shanties blamed for weekend flood

KNEE-DEEP water flooded the entire stretch of A. Soriano Street beside the White Gold department store at the North Reclamation Area during last Friday evening’s  heavy downpour.

Alvin Santillana, executive director of Cebu City’s Risk Reduction Management Council, said it took two hours for the floodwater to recede, inconveniencing both commuters and motorists alike.

He said prolonged flooding could have been prevented had the Mahiga Creek been completely cleared of illegal structures.

Floodwater in the area drains into the nearby Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo.

Santillana said while the Cebu City government already cleared their side of the creek of illegal structures, Mandaue City’s side remains congested.

He said shanties obstruct the flow of water near the creek’s opening which leads into the sea.

“I hope the Mandaue City government can do something about this.  They have been saying that they already have their relocation site but I don’t know what’s keeping them from already removing illegal structures on their side of the creek,” he said.

Santillana said Cebu City Hall also needed assistance from the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) in dredging the opening of the creek located near their office.

He said the city lacks the capability to clear that portion of the creek which already needed barging.

CPA representatives are now working the rules in bidding the dredging works, said Santillana.

Since the city cleared its side of Mahiga Creek of obstruction, Santillana said the flow of floodwater into the creek became faster and unobstructed.

He said the water is only constricted when it reached the opening of the creek which leads to where the  Mandaue City illegal structures are located.

Santillana also said the city’s disaster office is monitoring the entry of typhoons in the country.

“Even if we are not directly hit, Mayor (Michael) Rama has given instructions that we should treat each typhoon as if we are directly affected by it,” he said.

Santillana said that when it rained on Friday night, the city fire department immediately dispatched firetrucks and personnel to help monitor the rise in floodwater in congested areas like Sindulan and Panagdait in Mabolo.

A portion of the Mahiga Creek which passes by the area has not been cleared of illegal structures and dredged, he said. .Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac