City government monitors Bulacao River bridge

CEBU, Philippines — The Bulacao River is being closely monitored by the Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TFGB) of the Cebu City government after initial assessment shows that a bridge in the area is not built to withstand climate change.

Ret. Col. Jefferson Omandam, TFGB river commander, in an online interview with the Sugboanon Channel, a page handled by the Cebu City government, said that they are closely monitoring the Bulacao River and a bridge built over it, citing its urgency to be addressed.

“Ang katong atong gihimo na tulay didto, di na sya applicable karon, aduna nay climate change,” he said, referring to a bridge at Brgy Pamotan, Cebu City.

According to Omandam, right after the Barangay Election last October 2023, they immediately met with the officials of barangays surrounding Bulacao River, for them to be briefed of the government’s intent to rehabilitate the river.

Bulacao River, among the eight major rivers in Cebu City, is a 27-kilometer stretch that is surrounded by four barangays namely: Pamotan, Toong, Bulacao, and Inayawan.

“Amo gyud ni silang gi usa-usa og bisita after election. Among gi-istoryahan labi na gyud Barangay Captain Labitad, brand new nga barangay captain ni sa Pamotan kay duna man tay concern didto,” said Omandam.

Omandam explained that the bridge was effective before the change in the climate, adding that back then it could ‘absorb rainwater’ going to the Bulacao River.

In the current climate change situation, he explained that due to the volume of water that cascades from the hilly portion of the area, the bridge can no longer hold water, leading the river to overflow.

In an interview with The Freeman, Omandam added that the bridge is a main passageway, which is why they are closely monitoring it. He added they are looking into redesigning the bridge, but for the meantime barangay personnel and residents have been asked to constantly clean up the river to prevent it from clogging and overflowing when it rains.

At present, Omandam said they have identified at least 500 structures that are within the three-meter easement zone of the river coming from Brgys Pamotan, Bulacao, and Inayawan. There are no affected structures in Brgy. Toong.

“Mao ng ako giingnan si Captain Borres (Toong Barangay Captain), nga ato jud ni alagaan Kap kay ang uban barangay nagproblema kon asa dad-on ang mga affected residents,” said Omandam.

The three-meter easement zones, Omandam explained, are identified by law as non-buildable areas that are “beyond the commerce of men.”

Omandam, however, assured that owners of affected structures will be informed properly and will be told to get ready to vacate the area when the time comes that the rehabilitation will be implemented.

In line with the programs to rehabilitate the river, Omandam said they have implemented the “cash-for-work” program wherein 63 families were paid to help clean the river. This is a National Program led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Omandam said the 63 families were the first batch and have already graduated from the program. As of this writing, there are no plans yet for batch two but said that it is a yearly program of DSWD. — /ATO (FREEMAN)