1 month ago
18
CEBU CITY — A councilor here called for an immediate relocation of 26 families residing along a clogged creek in Barangay Mambaling to address the persistent flood problems in the area.
During the City Council's regular session, councilor Jerry Guardo discussed the severe flooding affecting Sitios Nava and Wangyu due to a clogged drainage system.
He revealed that a recent inspection with Mambaling Barangay Captain Roseller Salvador showed the drainage system is clogged with waste and stagnating water due to residential structures built over the creek.
Reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed that 26 structures obstruct the creek's natural flow.
Guardo explained that the accumulated debris impedes equipment from effectively removing trash and desilting the creek. The floodwaters, especially during heavy rain, backflow into narrow streets, notably near the Alaska Mambaling Elementary School.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The City Council approved Guardo's resolution to expedite financial assistance for the affected families.
They also directed the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and DPWH to draft a program of works and estimates (POWE) for constructing new drainage systems and rehabilitating the creek.
Guardo confirmed that in a recent public consultation, the families agreed to remove their structures once they receive financial aid from the city government.
The Mambaling Barangay Council has already identified a new relocation site close to the families' current homes.
Once the structures are cleared, the city government will deploy desilting equipment to restore the creek's flow toward the sea at South Road Properties (SRP).
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera recommended extending the inspection to the creek's outlet. She emphasized that the channel between the SRP and the mainland is heavily silted and crowded with stilt houses, which limit natural water flow.
Pesquera expressed concerns about the narrow gap between the stilt houses and the SRP, highlighting that the space should be at least 50 meters wide, not just three meters.
Guardo reaffirmed that the planned relocation and creek rehabilitation efforts will address the long-standing flooding issues in Alaska Mambaling. Both councilors underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure lasting solutions for the area's flooding problems.
