PB calls on DPWH to intensify declogging operations
The Provincial Board is calling on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to intensify declogging of drainage systems across the province as Cebu experiences rains, which has caused flooding.
This even as the monsoon season is still far away.
“For the past days, the Province of Cebu experienced moderate to occasional heavy rains that flooded some parts of the national highway attributed mainly to clogged canals that posed significant danger to motorists and the general public, thus warranting prompt action from the concerned government agency,” reads the resolution authored by Board Member Raul Bacaltos.
The resolution was coauthored by Board Members Victoria Corominas-Toribio and Edsel Galeos.
Bacaltos pointed out that DPWH is the agency responsible for maintaining the national highways and it is important to address the problem of flooding to avoid road accidents caused by floodwaters.
PB addressed its request to all engineering districts of DPWH-7 with jurisdiction over cities and municipalities in the province.
In Cebu City in September last year, over P2.5 billion was allocated from the coffers of the city government and DPWH-Cebu City District Engineering Office to address the worsening problem on floods.
Mayor Edgardo Labella had to call for a coordination meeting among officials from the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works, DPWH-CCDEO, and key officials of the city to discuss short and long-term solutions to the flooding problem. As it always has, a downpour flooded major streets like N. Bacalso Avenue, Sanciangko Street, Colon Street, and Manalili Street heavily.
DPWH District Engineer Florida Nuñez reported that the office has ongoing flood control projects worth P1.2 billion for Cebu City and Mandaue City this year. The bulk of the P1.2 billion will be implemented in Cebu City, she said.
However, Nuñez said the office is implementing these projects on a staggered basis. —