Marcos assures Cebuanos ‘One year to stop flooding’

CEBU, Philippines —  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. yesterday (November 21), launched the Oplan Kontra Baha: Metro Cebu Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations at Mahiga Creek near the M. Logarta Bridge, which sits between Cebu City and Mandaue City.

During the launch, the President announced the start of extensive dredging and clearing operations in creeks, rivers, and major waterways as part of the government’s intensified efforts to address recurring flooding in Cebu and other parts of the country. The initiative forms part of a unified, nationwide campaign to strengthen disaster preparedness and boost community resilience.

The President inspected the ongoing dredging and clearing activities at Mahiga Creek, while simultaneous operations were conducted along the Butuanon River and Subangdaku River in Mandaue City; Arrabal/Kinalumsan River, Guadalupe River, and Kamputhaw River in Cebu City; Mananga River in Talisay City; and Cotcot River in Liloan.

Marcos urged residents to closely monitor the progress of the operations until August next year. “Ang pangako sa atin, one year. So, ang pangako sa akin, ‘pagka umulan ulit, hindi na magbabaha,” he told Cebu media and local officials led by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

  “Mga nine months na trabaho bago dadating ulit ang ulan. Hopefully by that time, hindi na tayo makakakita ng baha kagaya ng nakita natin noon dahil lahat ng nakaharang at lahat ng barado na labasan ng tubig ay lilinisin. May dadaanan na ang tubig palabas,” he added.

    The President stressed the importance of close coordination among national government agencies, local governments, and the private sector for the program’s success.

      The initiative was first launched in Metro Manila on November 12. “As I promised when we started the project in Metro Manila, we will not only go to Metro Manila but also to all urban centers and areas that suffered severe flooding during the last rains,” Marcos said.

    Oplan Kontra Baha, set to run from November this year to August 2026, involves clearing clogged drainage systems, dredging waterways, removing obstructions, and improving waste management.

    In Metro Cebu, the project aims to clean eight priority waterways spanning 161 kilometers, along with 212 kilometers of drainage systems.

    The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will lead the implementation, in coordination with agencies such as the DENR, the DOLE, the DSWD, the DHSUD, the DILG, the NHA, and the Metropolitan Cebu Development and Coordinating Board.

Support will also come from DOH, PCSO, PAGCOR, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, PPA, PCG, MARINA, Navy Engineers, AFP Reservists, PNP Mobile Force, PCG Auxiliary, and the Cebu Provincial Government.

    Private-sector partners include San Miguel Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Prime Infra, Ayala Corporation, Aboitiz Group, and SM Corporation.

     While observing the cleanup at Mahiga Creek, Marcos noted that heavy siltation and accumulated waste have long obstructed the Subangdaku–Mahiga river system, an almost 12-kilometer waterway that crosses major urban areas of Cebu City and Mandaue City. The river frequently overflows during heavy rains due to blockage, especially near the Subangdaku Bridge.

   During the briefing, the President presented diagrams showing how blocked water outlets caused widespread flooding during the last major storm.

A site inspection also revealed a backhoe standing on what should have been the riverbed, now dried and heavily silted. “Ibig sabihin, napakababaw na ng ilog. Kailangan talagang linisin at ayusin,” he said.

     Asked when the last dredging took place, local officials reportedly could not recall. “Mukhang first time itong gawin in decades. Matagal nang hindi nalilinis ang ating waterways,” Marcos added.

    Aside from Governor Baricuatro, several mayors joined the presidential visit: Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, and Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco.

    The project will utilize 32 units of heavy equipment from national agencies, 24 units from LGUs, and additional support from private partners, including Sandigan and Metro Pacific, which also assist in Metro Manila’s flood-control operations.

   “Hindi ito kayang gawin ng gobyerno nang mag-isa. Kailangan ng koordinasyon sa lokal na pamahalaan at private sector,” the President said.

    He reiterated a clear timeline: nine months of intensive clearing before the next rainy season and a full year to deliver major progress.

                              MARCOS WANTS SABO DAMS IN CEBU

    Beyond dredging, Marcos said the government will push for the construction of sabo dams, upland structures widely used in Japan to slow rushing water and trap silt.

Experts will be consulted to determine ideal sites for the construction of sabo dams, a small upland dams designed to control water flow and reduce flooding, said the President.

According to an online source, a sabo dam---originated from Japan---"is a dam designed to control and capture sediment, debris flows, and other materials that come down from mountains. It is a form of sediment control that prevents damage to downstream areas by accumulating large amounts of sediment behind the dam.”

    DPWH Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel L. Ilao, in a separate interview, said initial studies identified three potential sites for the sabo dams: Mananga River, Butuanon River, and Cotcot River.

   “Ang sabo dam ay maliliit na dam sa kabundukan na kumokontrol sa agos ng tubig. Ang bilis kasi ng tubig ang nagdudulot ng malaking pinsala noong huling pagbaha sa Cebu,” Ilao explained.

    He emphasized that scientific and engineering studies must be completed before construction begins. “Hindi tayo pwedeng maglagay ng anumang intervention nang walang tamang pag-aaral. Maaaring maapektuhan ang mga nasa ibaba,” he said.

     Ilao acknowledged that budget constraints also pose challenges, but he said that President Marcos committed to finding funds for the project.

    DPWH-7 Director Danilo Villa also emphasized that flood mitigation must include clearing drainage canals and ensuring unimpeded water flow through secondary and primary waterways like Butuanon and Mananga rivers. (CEBU NEWS)