Cebu, Mandaue renew river pact

MANILA, Philippines — The cities of Cebu and Mandaue have reaffirmed their commitment to rehabilitating the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers through Beyond Borders 5.0, with flood mitigation, waste management and environmental protection as shared priorities.

The initiative underscores that waterways transcend political boundaries, requiring sustained cooperation between the two cities and their partner agencies.

Held at the Holiday Inn, the event brought together Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, along with representatives from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental

Management Bureau 7 (DENR-EMB 7), University of San Carlos Water Resources Center (USC-WRC), Department of Urban and Waterways Planning (DUWP), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

The program featured updates on river conservation, flood control and community-based initiatives.

Archival emphasized that rivers have no political boundaries, stressing the need for coordinated efforts across jurisdictions.

Ouano echoed the call for cooperation, noting that Mandaue, being downstream, is heavily affected by runoff from Cebu City’s upland barangays.

A ceremonial Biofence Linking was also held to symbolize the continuing connection between the two cities and their shared responsibility for protecting waterways.

The Beyond Borders program began in 2022 as an intercity collaboration to address flooding and river rehabilitation.

By 2025, the initiative had evolved into Beyond Borders 4.0, when Cebu and Mandaue signed a joint commitment to integrate flood management systems along the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers.

The partnership included the construction of a large canal to channel water from upland barangays into the rivers, installation of early warning systems, and river cleanups to reduce siltation and garbage buildup.

Through Beyond Borders 5.0, Cebu and Mandaue are moving toward implementation, focusing on sustainable river governance, flood resilience and waste management.

Updates presented during the event showed progress but also underscored the need for stronger enforcement and greater community participation.

The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two cities and ensure that environmental protection and flood resilience remain shared priorities in Metro Cebu.