By Alison Mae Fuentes
CNU Communication Intern

CEBU CITY (June 30, 2024) –The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has numerous projects and programs in the pipeline to help address flooding in the city which includes the construction of gabion dams in upland barangays.

DEPW’s Engr. Norman Del Mar. | 📷 RMN

Engr. Normal Del Mar, DEPW Drainage Section head, said the city’s long-term projects against flooding has been planned out with the Task Force Gubat sa Baha and is now incorporated the city’s drainage master plan.

“Ang long term gyud nato nga proseso nga pagsolbad sa baha kay kaning mga drainage project nato puhon, in collaboration sa (Task Force) Gubat sa Baha,” he said during DEPW’s Dalan sa Kalamboan teleradyo program over Sugboanon Channel.

But while the City is still waiting for results of the bidding on those projects, the DEPW will initiate some of its “short-term plans” to solve flooding such as to acquire two declogging machines, Del Mar said.

He added that DEPW also plans to rent out heavy equipment to help desilt some of the city’s rivers,

Now that the rainy season has started, the DEPW collaborates with City Hall departments to ensure that all of the city’s drainage facilities and river systems can immediately absorb runoff water.

Del Mar said DEPW even assisted the City during the 16th Citywide Cleanup Drive on June 22.

The DEPW were able to remove tons of trash along rivers in Barangays Carreta, Tejero, and Banilad during the cleanup.

More garbage. Task Force Gubat sa Baha personnel remove plastics and other wastes they collected at a portion of the Kinalumsan River in Barangay Mambaling during the Citywide Cleanup Drive on June 22. | 📷 Task Force Gubat sa Baha

Engr. Yumi Fernandez, DEPW Maintenance Section head, said majority of the trash that her colleagues collected were plastics.

DEPW‘s Engr. Yumi Fernandez. | 📷 RMN

“Ang tubig di makita, puro basura ang makita nato, lantaw tas sapa, di nata kitas sapa,” she added.

Around 80 tons of garbage were collected during the citywide cleanup drive.

The clean-up drive covered six of the city’s eight rivers, including Mahiga, Butuanon, Kinalumsan, Guadalupe, Estero de Parian, and Lahug.

Flood mitigation ‘starts at home’

Del Mar said that while the City works hard to keep its rivers and drainages clean, its citizens must do their part in keeping it that way.

“Sa among pagpanglimpyo sa atong mga kanal, atong mga sapa, atong nakita na hapit mga basura jud ang sulod. Mao na, kinahanglan tarungon nato og labay atong mga basura,” he said.

Fernandez also encouraged barangays to help maintain the cleanliness of rivers.

No end in sight. City personnel collect plastics and other waste that accumulated at a portion of the Mahiga River in Barangay Mabolo during the 16th Citywide Cleanup Drive on June 22. | 📷 Task Force Gubat sa Baha

“Manghinaot mi mga tao (ilabi na) kaning naa sa barangay, mangdisiplina sa atong isig ka mga tao, dili na mulabay sa ilang basura didto sa sapa,” she said.

“Kay sa mga nakita na namo, ang mga basura, og pila to among nalimpyohan sa last namo na cleanup, karon mao ra diay gihapon, mao ra gihapon kadaghana,” she added. | RMN / amf, jkv

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