City assures efforts vs flooding ongoing

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has assured that declogging and desilting efforts to battle flooding in the city has been ongoing and that there is enough budget for the rental of machines for such purpose.

This was confirmed by Acting Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia following concerns raised of the city’s efforts over recent flooding around the city due to successive heavy downpours.

This week, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is set to meet with the members of the city’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), the Department of Public Services (DPS), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and all other agencies to beef up the measures against flooding.

In a press conference yesterday, June 24, 2024, Garcia said the coordination meeting aims to lay down the city’s responses for the rainy season.

“Kay di ko ganahan nga DPWH is doing one thing, nya ma duplication sa city government, mora’g kapoy na kaayo, but I understand that they are doing what they have to do,” said Garcia.

At the same time, the acting mayor said the city, led by DEPW, has continuously been working on efforts to prevent flooding, particularly on declogging and desilting, as well as on the cleanup of rivers.

Garcia is also asking for the public’s cooperation, and to do their part to mitigate the flooding in the city.

“Nga dili lang nila ipataka og labay ilang mga basura indiscriminately anywhere, especially kay maka clog na sa atong mga drainage, sa atong outfall padung sa dagat,” said Garcia.

Earlier on, the Task Force Gubat sa Baha has lobbied for the procurement of declogging machines, which Garcia said has been up for discussion since his assumption as acting mayor of the city.

Task Force Gubat sa Baha Chief implementer, Ret. General Mel Feliciano has previously explained the importance of the said declogging machines to aid the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and other agencies, as not all drainages, canals, or even rivers can be cleaned manually.

Garcia, however, said that although he is not opposing the procurement, he is also taking into consideration that the city has a budget allocation for machine rentals that can be utilized.

“Kay I think it is faster, rather than procurement so if pwede ta makaabang og mga makina like backhoe…or whatever it is nga mao ra gyuy buhaton, nga mag sige lang og limpyo sa atong mga sala, why not?” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)