The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has substantially completed another project contract package of Metro Cebu’s comprehensive solution to flooding problems. 

In his report to Sec. Roger G. Mercado following an on-site inspection, Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain said that the UPMO Flood Control Management Cluster (FCMC) has posted a cumulative accomplishment of 95.5% in the implementation of the ₱684-M project contract for the river engineering intervention to protect properties and infrastructure from erosion and flooding in Cebu City and Mandaue City. 

The project covers the continuation of revetment and dredging works for Tipolo River, Subangdaku River, Tejero River, Lahug River, Guadalupe River, Kinalumsan River, and Bulacao River. 

Complementing the nearly finished works are two other contract packages for the improvement of flood control structures along those seven rivers on different station limits completed by the department in 2020 under the Metro Cebu Flood Control Project. 

Meanwhile, Sadain has instructed UPMO FCMC Project Manager Luis Paredes to closely coordinate with the Cebu City local government in relocating informal settlers families (ISFs) living along Kinalumsan River. 

The structures belonging to ISFs on the left and right banks of Kinalumsan River covered by another ongoing contract package make it difficult for DPWH to fully implement the project.

Also during inspection, Sadain noticed that many structures behind Gaisano Mambaling are encroaching the river bank and considered “high risk” for flash floods. 

DPWH project to improve the waterflow of Kinalumsan River will benefit barangays Duljo Fatima, Labangon and Mambaling which were severely affected by previous flashflooding in Cebu City. (PR)