CEBU, Philippines — Eight months after the “Menos Baha Task Force” of the Cebu City government was formed, it addressed over 800 declogging requests from various barangays in the city.
In its accomplishment report, the task force has freed up 27,659 canals, 39,705 pipes and 3,741 manholes of trash and silt.
These are from Barangays Punta Princesa, Mambaling, Basak San Nicolas, Sambag I, Tinago, San Roque, Carreta, Sto. Niño, Duljo-Fatima, Ermita, Bulacao, Apas, Kamputhaw, Pasil, Talamban, Parian, San Antonio, Kalubihan, among others.
The barangays lodged their requests through text messages, through social media and by calling the city government hotline.
Councilor Jerry Guardo, City Council’s chairman on the committee of infrastructure, said they respond to every declogging requests immediately.
“Sauna man gud, two weeks or a month pa ang pag-respond which is dugay kaayo,” he said.
To recall, it was his initiative to form the team after he observed that most of the creeks are clogged with trash and silt, which are among the factors of flooding in the downtown area of the city.
They expect less declogging requests from the barangays in the coming months, since summer is approaching.
But the task force will roam around the city to check regularly that the drainage systems are in good condition.
Menos Baha Task Force is created to clean the drainage, rivers, and creeks to prevent flooding during wet season.
The task force is composed of around 60 job order workers which are under the supervision of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
“Ang eight teams deployed to different barangays, so dunay communication, kung dunay one team mana og limpyo, ready for pick up na ang trash or soil, automatic motuyok ang equipment,” Guardo said.
The city government has deployed one unit of bobcat mini pay loader and one unit of mini dump truck that will pick up the silt and trash from the drainage.
Guardo said he is grateful that the public and barangay officials have lauded him or the city government for offering such service.
“Nalipay ko nga na-appreciate sa barangay officials that we have now this type of service where we can cater sa request nila,” he said.
Meanwhile, at least 14 silt traps or rubbish traps will be established in various areas such as in Sambag I, Sambag II, Guadalupe, Parian and others to prevent garbage to flow on the rivers, creeks and drainage.
By putting up the rubbish traps, the Menos Baha Task Force can easily conduct cleaning operation.
The City Council has set aside P4 million for this project, which is now under bidding for hiring contractor.
“Ang current nga situation, barado na ang canal, ang purpose sa silt trap didto nato siya i-build sa ibabaw sa part nga ang function sa silt trap ang basura or yuta, i-trap na didto ang mosulod sa culvert tubig nalang,” Guardo said. (FREEMAN)