Talisay gets some pointers on planning

CEBU, Philippines - For Talisay City to rise like its neighboring local government units, an engineer has advised that it should put a stop to land development and instead focus on long-term projects such as putting in place a workable integrated drainage system and beautifying its beaches since these would attract investors and tourists.

In a briefing with first district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas in his office in the University of the Visayas the other day, Engineer Pedro Adonis Compendio, consultant of SPACESytems.4719, suggested three things the city should do to solve its drainage problems and to be ready for economic growth: stop the mushrooming of subdivisions, clean creeks, and recover the old beauty of its beaches.

SPACESytems.4719, a drainage consultancy firm, was commissioned by Talisay to do a study on its drainage, before it shall embark on its multi-million drainage master plan project.

The city, which admitted it does not have the funds to implement the project, needs at least P100 million.

Talisay earlier said it is willing to shell out an initial amount of P5 million to set the project in motion.

But Compendio said the amount will only solve the problem in barangay Bulacao, which is considered among the worst flood-prone area, especially in the highway near the Visayan Electric Company office.

Apart from Bulacao, some areas of the barangays of Tabunok, Lagtang, Poblacion, and Cansojong become the direct outfall of rainwater due to the lack of proper drainage.

Gullas said the reason why he got the opinion of Compendio was to learn about the real situation of the city's drainage problem, and from there they would know what steps to take.

Gullas does not believe that the city has no money to support the project.

He said the city is getting more than P300 million as its internal revenue allotment its year, plus about P100 million as its annual income.

The city does not know how to prioritize its projects, he said.

Compendio also said they can not go ahead with the drainage project t until the city shall have established its "long-term development plans," where the former will be based.

The city has more than 1,000 subdivisions from the lowland to the upland areas, to which Compendio said is not an idea of a long-term plan, considering that the city is giving more of its resources than getting revenues from these projects.

Hence, if it would allow more residential developments, it should be in ways where it could actually gain from them, he added.

Compendio, who also used to be a deputy consultant of the South Road Properties, said the city should also stop the sprouting of residential houses in its supposed economic zone, 300 meters from the Cebu South Coastal Road.

The engineer also suggested that the city should also "recover its lost beauty" which are its beaches, for tourism purposes.

Compendio said it is only proper planning and prioritization that will make Talisay become competitive like its neighbors. (THE FREEMAN)