Drainage project on Gen. Maxilom Ave. breaks ground

CEBU, Philippines —  A drainage system project worth around P25 million broke ground on General Maxilum Avenue in Cebu City.

The project is seen to address the flooding problem in Barangays Cogon Ramos and Zapatera.

Mayor Michael Rama, during the project's groundbreaking ceremony, said the city had a drainage master plan with a budget of P1.3 billion but it was not implemented by the past administration.

“Ayaw ko pasanginli ninyo nga hangtod karon naa gihapon ang baha. Ngano man? Wala man gi-implementar. Naa nay (drainage) master plan, naa nay kwarta, P1.5 bilyon, ug apil na kani among the many sa tibuok siyudad sa Sugbo nga motubag unya (sa suliran sa pagbaha),” Rama said.

For the Cogon-Ramos and Zapatera drainage project, the city government is setting aside P24.92 million, according to the city’s Public Information Office.

Assistant City Engineer June Nadine Sison said this drainage system "will prove to be critical for flood mitigation."

More to it, Sison said, this is an example of what cooperation between city and barangay officials can do.

Speaking about cooperation, Rama said the Department of Public Works and Highways should cooperate with the city government as not to put projects to waste.

“Nasulbar ba ang atong baha? Wala. Because you can never solve the problem of flooding if you don’t get involve sa tanan ug dili panalanginan sa Ginoo,” he said.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the City Council's infrastructure committee, said this is indeed a long-overdue project and he is just happy that it is finally realized under Rama and Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros’ administration.

“This is long overdue.Kadumdum mo, naa nay sapa diha sa may STC(St.Theresa’s College) along Mango Avenue, naturan naman nag dakong building, nagamay na lang ang drainage dayon ang outfall niya gamay na lang ang existing padong gawas sa likod maong mubaha na diha, ang back-flow mubalik dihang dapita. With the implementation sa ani nga project, dako man siya ang design niya, makabaraog man gani ang tawo, ma efficient na  ni sya nga mudawat sa tubig unya ang outflow derecho sa Lahug River,” said Guardo.

Aside from that, Guardo said, the city government is also recovering some public roads that have been occupied privately so that road widening and diversion roads can be done to help ease the traffic in the city. — Decemay Padilla, KQD (FREEMAN)