Illegal structures delay Mahiga Creek dredging

CEBU, Philippines - The P12.5-million dredging project at the Mahiga Creek is delayed because of the illegal structures in the Mandaue City side that bar dredging equipment from passing through.

Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division chief Noel Artes said that the dredging project will have to be deferred until the three-meter easement zone in the Mandaue area are cleared of the informal settlers.

Artes said the dredging was supposed to start immediately after the groundbreaking last month but heavy equipment could not pass through due to the illegal structures.

He said they have already asked the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Mandaue City government to clear the area. The city is still awaiting feedback.

The city also prefers that the mouth of the creek at the Cebu Ports Authority area is dredged before they start dredging the middle portion.

The dredging of the creek is prioritized to solve the flooding problem in various areas, especially the flooding at the North Reclamation Area.

Last October 27, the city inaugurated the project which will cost a total of P12,562,136.

The project is funded under the P80 million-appropriation exclusively for the dredging of creeks, rivers, canals and other waterways.

The city government has already cleared the informal settlers along the Cebu City part of the creek more than six months ago. But the other side has not been cleared of illegal structures so there remain some concrete bridges that are obstructing in the way of the heavy equipment. — (FREEMAN)