Water Expert Urges Cebu Capitol to Build Dams, Gabions for Dry Season

A water expert of a Cebu City university has urged the Cebu provincial government to prepare for the dry season by building dams and gabions.

Dr. Fe Walag of the University of San Carlos’ Water Resource Center (USC-WRC) said gabion dams trap rainwater, which can be used during the dry season.

Walag is also with Kaabag sa Sugbo, an organization that advocates for water conservation.

She said that in 1992 during the incumbency of Governor Lito Osmeña, they piloted a gabion dam in Talamban, Cebu City, which was “useful” but “not implemented.”

The dam, which is located at what is now the Family Park, is already fully covered with sand and gravel, she said.

Walag said the gabions do not only trap rainwater, which can be distributed to households, but is also believed to reduce salt water intrusion.

She said if all rivers in Cebu will have something like it, local government units (LGU) in the province will not face water shortage.

More than 20 LGUs in Cebu are now suffering from water shortage due to the dry spell caused by the mild El Nino phenomenon.

At least five LGUs have declared a state of calamity in their localities to tap their respective calamity funds to address the water shortage problem. (PNA) LAP/EB/SGP