City contractors always on call in case of disasters

CEBU, Philippines - To be able to respond to emergencies, the Cebu City government assured that all contractors registered and operating in the city are “on call” during calamities and emergencies.

Cebu City administrator Francisco Fernandez said this during the other day’s meeting with Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama and the contractors registered in Cebu City.

“There is an existing live contract with the contractors that in times of calamities and emergencies, we can immediately dispatch them,” Fernandez said.

The usage of their equipments, he said, will be half its rental fee.

The meeting stemmed after Cebu City was declared under a state of calamity preparedness recently.

Fernandez said other than the usage of equipment, the city will be moving forward with the completion of the P600-million comprehensive drainage plan.

Because of the budgetary constraint for now, he said the initial step is to construct the six dams seen to solve the flooding problem by half. The dams, which will catch the water from the upland area, are set to be completed next year.

Rama said another immediate move in keeping the city safe from flood is to schedule a clearing and unclogging of the city’s canals and creeks.

This will be done now, with the use of the contractors’ and the barangays’ equipment.

Last week, the city council set aside P10 million from the calamity fund for disaster preparedness, not only for Typhoon Pepeng but for any other weather disturbances this year. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)