DPWH 7 to LGUs: Enforce Flood Control Projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 Regional Director Ador Canlas advised heads of local government units (LGUs) to implement projects that help reduce massive flooding in Metro Cebu.

Canlas said that while Metro Cebu’s Flood Control and Drainage Master Plan is awaiting approval from their central office in Manila, LGUs could begin implementing non-structural measures pending the detailed engineering design.

“With or without the study, if you look at the non-structural plans, these are parts of the responsibilities of everyone, not only for LGUs and line agencies,” Canlas said during the quarterly meeting of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) yesterday in the City of Naga, Cebu.

Canlas’ assertion was in response to San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya asking whether LGUs could carry out these projects without the flood control master plan.

“We want to plan ahead because other LGUs in Metro Cebu have started to experience the same flooding problem in Mandaue City and Cebu City,” Reluya said.

Non-structural programs that fall on the shoulder of LGUs include waste management, reforestation, environmental management, strict implementation of the zoning and land use plan.

In the 2016 General Appropriation Act, at least P731 million worth of flood control programs were set aside for the cities of Mandaue and Cebu. Of the amount, P422 million went to Cebu City’s flood control and drainage improvement project in barangays Bulacao, Kinalumsan, Guadalupe, Lahug and Supangdaku River Basins.

About P70 million was expended for Kinalumsan River Flood Control Project while P96 million for Tejero Channel Improvement Project.

In Mandaue City, a total of P88 million was used to develop the Subangdaku River Flood Control Project and P55 million for Tipolo River Control.

Moreover, DPWH 7 project coordinator Luis Paredes said that they have P420 million in funds for projects that will reduce the detrimental effects of flood water which will be implemented following the scheduled bidding this October.

MCDCB is a consortium of the province of Cebu and its 13 cities and towns located in the eastern side of the island. It comprises the cities of Carcar, Naga, Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue, Danao and Lapu-Lapu and the towns of Minglanilla, Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela.

cebu.gov.ph