Mandaue builds canal to channel floodwater to river

MANILA, Philippines - The City Engineer's Office of Mandaue City has constructed a temporary channel that would allow floodwater in Purok 1 in barangay Tingub to flow into the Butuanon River.

Last Friday, most barangays in the city were under water, and some residents in Purok 1 saw an opportunity to make some money by offering to transport stranded pedestrians on makeshift rafts made of styrofoam at P5 per head.

When Mayor Jonas Cortes learned about the problem, he ordered some city hall people to bring the fiberglass pump boat the city had earlier bought to the flooded areas to transport people who have been stranded.

Since water in Tingub did not subside, people from the engineering office thought of building a canal to draw off the floodwater from the place and into the river, which is about 50 meters away.

To prevent another flooding in the area, building bigger culverts was also suggested.

The Mandaue City council will convene today for a special session to discuss issues pertaining to flooding.

The council is also expected to approve a proposed resolution endorsed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council which declares some barangays in the city under a state of calamity so that the city can gain access to its calamity funds which will be used to finance its drainage projects.

The city will also ask the DPWH to examine the culverts along the national highway.

At present, the culverts measure 36 meters in diameter and the city wants these replaced with ones that are perhaps twice the size.

 A.S. Fortuna Street, which bore the brunt of a heavy downpour last January 25, was free from flooding this time.

Before the rains came, the barangay got rid of the waste that got stuck at the Mahiga creek.