Council earmarks almost P80M for slope projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved the reprogramming of close to ?80 million from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Revised Annual Investment Program Trust Fund 2022 and 2025 to finance slope protection projects in Barangays Tabunan and Binaliw.

The measure, authored by City Councilor David Tumulak and approved in a special session last Friday, implements the recommendations of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), which earlier passed Resolution No. 149, Series of 2026.

According to the resolution, the allocation will cover five projects: ?13.9 million for Sitio Cantipla 2; ?4.5 million for Sitio Proper; ?6.3 million for Sitio Cantipla 2; ?8.2 million for Sitio Cantipla 2, Tabunan.

Another ?46.3 million is also being allocated for Sitio Binaliw in Barangay Binaliw itself.

Tumulak clarified that the one in Binaliw is not the landfill area that had a trash slide earlier this year after being asked by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) provided the programs of work and estimates, noting that the areas sustained substantial damage from Typhoon Tino and subsequent heavy rainfall, which aggravated slope instability and heightened risks of landslides and flooding.

The CCDRRMC emphasized that both barangays have been officially identified as landslide-susceptible areas by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), underscoring the urgency of slope protection to safeguard lives, protect property, and preserve critical road networks that ensure access during emergencies.

With the city council’s nod, the projects are scheduled between July and December 2026, with DEPW as the implementing agency.

This latest move builds on other disaster risk reduction measures previously undertaken by the council.

In recent months, it has passed resolutions tightening monitoring of upland construction and quarrying activities under “Oplan Likay sa Landslide”, endorsed drainage improvement projects in flood-prone barangays, and supported the MGB’s updated geohazard mapping initiative.

The council has also authorized the purchase of early warning equipment and strengthened barangay-level disaster preparedness programs, including training for community responders. — (FREEMAN)