PHP1.5B Budget for Cebu City’s Drainage Remains Unspent

Some PHP1.5 billion in the annual budget of the Cebu City government this year which is intended for the improvement of the city’s drainage system has remained unspent, an official said.

Cebu City Engineer Jose Maria Poblete, whose office was tasked to implement the drainage projects, said it would be a waste of funds to spend the money.

”We have implemented more than PHP200 million worth of drainage projects, but we still have problems with flooding,” he said.

Poblete said the drainage projects implemented in the city failed to solve the problem of flooding during flashfloods.

The city has been experiencing flooding, especially in low-lying areas, whenever there is a heavy downpour.

Poblete said he will ask permission from the Cebu City Council to use part of the budget to pay for consultants who will prepare a drainage master plan for the city.

He said his department has no personnel and capability to make a drainage master plan.

”We cannot just implement a drainage project and it won’t solve the flooding. It will only be a waste of public funds,” Poblete said. (PNA) LAP/EB