Plans for Mahiga need at least P100M

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) of the city government has proposed a P100 million budget for the purchase of properties to widen the road along the stretch of the Mahiga creek.

The amount also covers the acquisition of properties that encroach upon the creek's five-meter easement zone and the removal of illegal structures in the zone.

Lawyer Jose Daluz, assistant to the mayor and head of the city's Reduced Danger Zone (REDZ) project, said he has spoken with three prominent families that own properties within the easement zone and one family has reportedly agreed to cooperate with the city government.

Daluz told the city council during the deliberation for the 2014 annual budget yesterday that the Mahiga creek is a top priority of REDZ for next year, considering that the creek easily overflows to areas in Cebu City and Mandaue City especially during a downpour. 

"Mahiga is our priority because flooding comes from the area," he said, adding, that REDZ will submit its proposed plan to the council before the year ends.

Aside from Mahiga, waterways in Barangays Guadalupe, Lahug, Duljo Fatima and Bulacao are also REDZ priority.

In a separate development, Daluz said DEPW also proposed a P10 million budget for the construction of a park in Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area, which is adjacent to the Mahiga creek. Block 27 is being used currently as impounding area of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

CITOM, for its part, is proposing P23 million for the construction of a new impounding area at the South Road Properties (SRP).  (FREEMAN)