20-year-old drainage grasp plan wants speedy updating

Cebu has been experiencing heavy rain since August 15, with knee-deep floods affecting a number of communities, notably in some barangays in Mandaue Metropolis and Cebu Metropolis

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Metropolis officers have assembled a technical working group to handle gaps and replace its 20-year-old drainage grasp plan amid piling experiences of flooding in lots of barangays.

Cebu Metropolis Councilor Joel Garganera stated in a privilege speech throughout the council’s common session on Tuesday, August 19, that the worsening flood scenario within the metropolis is simply a symptom of a good larger drawback.

“We clear the rivers at present solely to see it stuffed with trash tomorrow,” he stated.

Garganera cited historic maps of Cebu Metropolis that recounted the gradual lack of its very important waterways and pure drainage programs — a difficulty that he stated persists at present.

Based on the official, town’s flooding drawback might be attributed to the dearth of correct waste administration, the clogging of waterways, and an outdated drainage grasp plan.

“The final of which, if I’m not mistaken, was authorised and revealed approach again in 2005. That’s 20 years in the past,” Garganera stated about Cebu Metropolis’s present drainage grasp plan.

Cebu has been experiencing heavy rain since August 15, with knee-deep floods affecting a number of communities, notably in some barangays in Mandaue Metropolis and Cebu Metropolis.

Garganera confirmed to Rappler in a telephone interview {that a} home in Barangay Pit-os was swept away by floodwaters on Saturday, August 16. As of this writing, the Cebu Metropolis Division of Social Welfare and Companies has already supplied help to the affected family.

Garganera confused that town ought to transfer to renew the clearing and removing of constructions alongside river easements, replace its overburdened drainage programs, and implement the set up of rainwater catchments in developments within the upland villages.

The councilor moved for the council to request the Metropolis Planning and Growth Workplace and the Division of Public Works and Highways to offer an replace to town’s drainage grasp plan.

Cebu Metropolis Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu Metropolis Catastrophe Threat Discount and Administration Council, informed Rappler that city enlargement can also be a contributing issue within the enhance of flood incidents within the metropolis.

“It [drainage master plan] wants extra research, and they should look into the precise [state] of the barangays due to the developments,” Tumulak stated.

In July, town council declared a state of calamity after experiencing extreme flooding, releasing P15 million to start desilting native waterways. – Rappler.com