Business chamber pushes flood-control measures

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is advancing the fight against flooding and environmental degradation by initiating the installation of a rainwater catchment facility outside the Cebu Chamber Center, and continuing the Flood Hero PET Bottle Receptacle Bins across schools.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival earlier called for the citywide adoption of detention and catchment systems as practical, cost efficient solutions to flooding. He emphasized that resilience must be shared by government, barangays, businesses, and civic institutions alike.

“This is more than an installation. It is a statement: we will not stop until Cebu is flood free and climate resilient. Flooding impacts our economy, our people, and our city’s future. Action is urgent,” said CCCI President Jay Yuvallos.

The chamber’s rainwater facility showcases EcoBloc, a German-engineered stormwater management system that captures rainwater, replenishes groundwater, and prevents flooding, while also making stored water available for irrigation and industrial use.

Cost effective and efficient, the system is priced between ?30,000–?40,000, can be implemented up to 80% faster than conventional methods, and requires minimal excavation, according to CCCI.

“This addresses an urgent need for detention tanks while leveraging advanced technology alongside traditional solutions,” added CCCI Vice President for Business Development Bernard Sia, noting that experts have long underscored detention tanks as key to flood mitigation.

Archival, present during the installation, lauded the initiative and revealed plans to replicate similar systems across barangays.

“This is highly effective, easy to implement, and cost efficient. Imagine the volume of water we can capture citywide,” he said.

Alongside infrastructure, CCCI also continues to nurture environmental stewardship through the Flood Hero PET Bottle Receptacle Bin, that moves from one school to another.

Alongside it stands the Freedom Wall, where students leave pledges of hope and responsibility --promises to protect waterways, preserve communities, and build a cleaner, safer Cebu for generations to come.

Each PET bottle collected is given new life through recycling initiatives, including makeshift river trash traps that turn waste into tools for protection.

CCCI honored the College of Technological Sciences–Cebu and all partner schools that embrace this purpose.