Mahiga embankment project bidding set

CEBU, Philippines - The bidding for the P6 million Mahiga River embankment project is scheduled to open April 23.

This, as the Cebu City Department of Engineering and Public Works is having an ongoing survey on the properties to be acquired by the city for the development of the other rivers connected to Mahiga.

“From M.J. Cuenco, kanang access road sa Ayala sa may Hipodromo, atbang ana is river. Gamay kaayo na sa tanan, so karon, nag-ongoing ang survey sa atoang engineering office sa kana nga river all the way to luyo sa Chinese Cemetery hangtod mogawas na sa Mabolo Elementary School hangtod sa Mahiga (River),” said Lawyer Joey Daluz, Reduction Danger Zones project chairman.

“We want to widen that, ato na palawman gyud, aron dako-dako kaayo ta’g catch basin diha,” he added.

Supposedly, the city government under the 2014 budget had set aside P180 million for the rechanneling of the said river. However, P80 million of the budget was given up for the reconstruction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

For the acquisition of lots, the supposed P50 million allocation under the 2014 budget was trimmed down to P30 million. The P20 million, according to Daluz, was also given to the CCMC.

“Igo na siya for a start, but continuing man ni; you know we cannot expect nga dako kaayo ta’g mahimo karon sa Mahiga but we will start it. Dili ni lalim nga money ang involved but grabe na kaayo ka constricted atong river,” he said when asked if the budget was enough.

Properties owned by the Gaisanos and Gochans will be affected for the beautification and improvement of the river, said the chairman.

“We need to straighten the river. In order to do that, maigo ang Gaisano lot. We are negotiating with the Gaisanos; nangayo na sila og project proposal nato. Dili pa kaayo maayo ang response but hopefully ma-convince nato sila,” Daluz said.

Daluz said they still have to negotiate with the Gochans.

“Ang karon man gud ang importante is the information so nagsige ta og survey aron mahibaw ta unsaon nato pag-istroya sa tag-iya nga 40 or 50 square meters sa ilang property atong gamiton, atong paliton,” he said.

Presently, they are also encouraging informal settlers within the three-meter easement zone to leave the area.

The city has a plan to build two condominium buildings in the old Lorega Cemetery for Mahiga Creek residents after the reblocking in the area which was hit by fire last March 18.  (FREEMAN)