Mahiga embankment project starts – ReDZ

CEBU, Philippines - After several months of delay, the Cebu City government has finally started yesterday to implement the P6 million river embankment project along the three-meter easement zone of the Mahiga Creek.

Reduction of Danger Zones chief and former councilor Jose Daluz III said that the project aims to prevent overflowing of the river and likewise to avoid illegal settlers in the area. The Redz has been adopted by the city government to eliminate the hazards every time the river overflow.

“Ang contractor (WT Construction) nag-sugod na sa embankment sa 160 meters sa block 27, including the construction of five meters sidewalk, maong nag-ground breaking mi karon (August 14),” he said.

Daluz said that the budget also covers the beautification of the 160-meter area, saying the city will install lamp posts, restore the sidewalk, among others. The area in block 27 at the North Reclamation Area is adjacent to Mahiga Creek.

The delay of the project was due to the undermanned and overloaded team of Department of Engineering and Public Works in conducting the survey report. The embankment along Mahiga Creek will serve as a model to all rivers in the city, Daluz said.

He is hoping that the project will be replicated in all rivers of the city since it is the thrust of the government to reduce the danger zones, such as the river.

Daluz said that the city government is bidding out next week around P3 million worth of consultancy contract to come up with a topography design along the M.J. Cuenco river to Cebu International Port.

“So that naa tay guide on how to address the rivers, kinsa ang negotiate nga owners, pila ang makuha sa ilang property, ang hydraulic and flow sa tubig,” he said, adding that it is a 60-day project.

Daluz said that after the 160-meter embankment project, they will proceed with the P180 million rechanneling of Mahiga River and 1.3-hectare retention pond to store water before it reaches the creek.

However, only P80 million will be utilized for the embankment since the P100 million was realigned for the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

He said the Visayan Electric Company sub-station is one of the private owners that they identified to have encroached the three-meter easement zone.

“Nakastorya nata sa Veco and cooperative man pud sila and willing sila mo-set back kay among na-ingnan nga aron dili gyud moingon ang mga tao nga pobre ra gyud ang papahawaon,” he said.  (FREEMAN)