Flood masterplan pushed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City South District Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama has urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to extend equitable flood-control planning to Metro Cebu, citing its economic importance and growing vulnerability to severe flooding.

Speaking at a House Committee on Public Accounts briefing, Rama pushed for the immediate formulation of a Metro Cebu Flood Mitigation Masterplan, stressing that Cebu—with over 3.5 million residents and an annual GDP exceeding ?1 trillion—deserves the same strategic attention that Metro Manila receives through the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“So it has to be directly proportional naman sa infrastructure development namin. We keep on talking about the flooding here in Manila, pero in all honesty, the flooding in Cebu is terrible,” Rama said.

“I think it’s high time that we in Metro Cebu should have a full drainage masterplan,” he added.

Rama’s appeal comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. placed flood-control projects under national review.

Following his State of the Nation Address, the President ordered an audit of ?545 billion worth of flood mitigation projects implemented since July 2022. Initial findings showed that 20 percent of the funds—around ?100 billion—went to just 15 contractors, with five of them handling projects across nearly all regions.

 The audit also flagged identical project costs in different barangays and mismatches between flood-prone provinces and those receiving the most funding.

“We don’t have the luxury of an MMDA in Cebu,” Rama said, noting that residents continue to suffer without a unified plan that considers interconnected waterways and shared risks.

His call gained urgency after torrential rains last Friday, August 15, inundated Metro Cebu and displaced thousands of residents. In Mandaue City alone, 2,333 people from 11 barangays—including Alang-alang, Cabancalan, Canduman, Casuntingan, Jagobiao, Maguikay, Tabok, Tipolo, Tingub, Umapad, and Paknaan—were evacuated to safer grounds. Part of the flood-control project along the Butuanon River in Barangay Casuntingan was also damaged by strong floodwaters rushing down from the mountains.

Rama recalled that DPWH Region VII had once deployed amphibious excavators and conducted sustained dredging near SM Cebu, which significantly reduced flooding.

Those efforts, however, were stalled by budget constraints and the lack of maintenance personnel. He urged DPWH to resume regular dredging, starting with flood outfalls, and to institutionalize inter-LGU coordination.

Plastic pollution also figured in his remarks, particularly the clogging of waterways by PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), represented by Dr. Enrico Paringit, said PET bottles are among the most recyclable plastics and highlighted ongoing efforts to promote bio-based packaging and improve waste-sorting systems. Rama pressed the DOST to work with manufacturers on compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law and to support community-based recycling initiatives.

He also raised concerns about the smart tunnel project in Cebu City’s South District, which was envisioned as both a flood-mitigation and traffic solution. Instead, he said, the lack of a proper outfall turned it into a flooding source in his own barangay.

 “The intent was good, but the execution failed us. It became a swimming pool for my neighbors,” Rama said.

Beyond infrastructure, Rama appealed to Cebuanos to take personal responsibility for proper waste disposal and environmental stewardship.

“Ato sab gi-awhag nga kita tanang mga Sugbuanon magpakabana pinaagi sa saktong paglabay sa atong mga basura, ug paglikay sa single-use plastics… Kung kita magtinabangay, mahimo natong mapugngan ang grabe nga pagbaha, ug maprotektahan ang atong mga komunidad alang sa mga umaabot nga henerasyon,” he said. /FPL. (CEBU NEWS)