EDITORIAL - Another political victim?

It is laughable for some to think why it only takes another rainy season for the Cebu City officials to scramble for solution to the problem on perennial flooding in the city.

Look, the rainy season is now taking its toll and we are now being ravaged by floods during heavy rains. But while hundreds had to wade through flooded streets, city officials are still in the stage of appropriating funds for drainage improvement.

During its regular session last Wednesday, the City Council authorized Mayor Michael Rama to enter into agreements with different contractors for some drainage projects around the city in the effort to control flooding.

At a cost of at least P13 million, the projects will be implemented in Barangays Basak San Nicolas, Luz, Basak Pardo, Ermita, San Nicolas Mambaling, Kinasang-an, Paril, Lusaran,  Basak, and Capitol Site.

Some residents would likely hail these projects, glad that at least the local officials are finally bent on solving the serious drainage problem in those areas despite the fact that the implementing parties have yet to see the actual amount.

There's certainly no question that these projects would greatly benefit those barangays. The only question that begs immediate answer is that why it only takes the onslaught of another rainy season for the City Councilors to finally seal their approval.

And there's certainly no question that these projects have become more urgent given the dismal state of the city's drainage system. However, whoever pushed for the need to implement these drainage improvements in this season when rain is almost a daily visitor to the city must have a crazy idea.

And then there's another controversy. Based on earlier reports, the funds for these projects have been taken from the city's 2012 budget for drainage improvements. But as to why it takes two years for the funds to be utilized is something that City Hall needs to explain.

If politics is proven to be behind the delay in the implementation of the drainage projects, then the conflict between Team Rama and BOPK has just claimed another victim.