Survey report delays P6M Mahiga project

CEBU, Philippines - The unsubmitted survey report of the Cebu City Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) is causing significant delay on the Mahiga river embankment project amounting to P6 million.

Reduction Danger Zones (REDZ) project chairperson, lawyer Jose Daluz III, has expressed disappointment over the delay.

“The engineering (DEPW) was tasked to do that (survey). I am little bit worried because until now wala pa’y report ang survey engineers. There was a directive given to DEPW na mag-progress report sila,” Daluz said.

The survey report, Daluz said was supposed to be submitted last month or early this month. It covers Barangay Hipodromo, A. Soriano Avenue (at the back of the Queen City Memorial Garden Cebu), and all the way to Mahiga Creek.

“That area sa mahiga ang atong gi-focus to delineate to find out unsa nga property ang atong i-expropriate, ang embankment, river, everything. We need to survey the area para kabalo kinsa atong duolon ug unsay angay buhaton,” Daluz said.

The P6 million covers the installation of lamp posts and the 150-meter sidewalk along the Mahiga Creek in block 27 at the North Reclamation Area.

Block 27 is adjacent to Mahiga Creek and is currently being used as impounding area of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management.

This year, the City government has allotted at least P180 million for the rechanneling of  Mahiga River and a 1.3-hectare retention pond to store water before it reaches the creek.

But only P80 million will be utilized for the embankment since P100  million budget was realigned for the construction of  the Cebu City Medical Center.

Also, Daluz said the amount of  P50 million will be used for the acquisition of lots.

Owners of the identified six properties that would be affected of the beatification and improvement of the river are owned by the Gaisano and Gochan.

Furthermore, if DEPW still fails to submit any report until this month, they would hire a private surveyor to do job instead, said Daluz.

“I hope ila ning gitrabaho, if dili we will just hire a private surveyor to do the survey,” he said.  (FREEMAN)