The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Cebu, Mandaue sign agreement on river rehab program
CEBU CITY – The mayors of Cebu and Mandaue cities signed an agreement to rehabilitate two rivers that connect the two localities in an effort to address severe flooding. Cebu Mayor Michael nas Cortes signed the memoran- of stewardship committing to Rama and Mandaue Mayor Jo- dum of agreement and a pledge implement conservation and rehabilitation measures at the Mahiga and Butuanon rivers, which are common waterways shared by both cities.
During the signing, the mayors administered the pledge of commitment of their respective personnel who will form a working group that will lead the rehabilitation and conservation efforts in the two rivers.
Rama said the Cebu City government is committed to finding solutions to the perennial problem of flooding which could have been coming from the two rivers. “This is a commitment of the people in Cebu
City and Mandaue City to become stewards of the rivers,” he said.
The recent signing was the culmination of the two-day collaborative river governance forum dubbed “Two Rivers, One Movement”, which was also witnessed by representatives of the public sector, the business community, and other stakeholders.
The agreement outlined the commitment of the two localities to work together to solve the worsening flood problem in the downtown and uptown areas here. The two mayors also agreed to establish a technical working group whose members will meet in November to lay out action plans and proposals for long-term conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
Cortes urged the public’s cooperation in finding ways to solve the flooding as it is not only a problem of the government but also of the residents. “Let us all be counted as one in making our communities a greater, better place for all of us to live in. Let us all be counted as one keeping in mind that an outstanding community starts with you and me,” he said. (John Rey Saavedra)