Mayor orders Review development projects

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the City Planning and Development Office to review the plans and specifications of all development projects in the city to find out if the contractors of these projects have complied with required specifications in preventing flooding in low-lying areas.

“Gusto ni mayor nga ang tanan gyud nga development sites maoy susihon. Ang tumong niya mao nga masuta kon gituman ba ang pagbutang og tukma nga drainage systems. Daku-daku ni nga trabaho,” said City Planning and Development Officer Alipio Bacalso.

Several development projects are being undertaken in mountainous areas in the city, one of the most prominent ones include the Monterrazas subdivision, a 200-hectare high-end development project that traverses portions of Barangay Guadalupe, Tisa, Labangon, and Sapangdaku. The city, however, suspended the project because it caused flooding in lowland areas during a heavy downpour last July 20.

Aside from the Monterrazas, Bacalso said they will also inspect development projects in Barangay Talamban.

Development projects in upper areas in the city were blamed as having caused flooding in the lowlands because of the failure of developers to comply with the requirement that the sites’ drainage systems must be connected to the city’s main drainage system.

Sambag II Barangay Captain Carl Belarmino said City Hall should also look into the situation of the Guadalupe river.

“Nahibulong ko kay kaniadto lawom kaayo ang tubig sa Guadalupe river nga moagi tungod sa among barangay, pero karon samtang may masinati nga paglunop nagkagamay man ang tubig sa baha,” Belarmino said.

The Guadalupe river passes by Barangays Sambag II, Sambag 1, Pahina Central, San Nicolas Proper and Ermita. – (FREEMAN)