Mayor says first water retention pond to be built in Lahug

CEBU, Philippines – Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced yesterday that the city will soon build the first rainwater retention pond in sitio Sun-ok, barangay Lahug as soon as the Department of Budget and Management releases the funds for the project.

The project, which amounts to P1.48 million, will be funded through the Countrywide Development Fund of North District Representative Raul del Mar.

Osmeña believes that the retention pond is seen to minimize if not stop flooding in Cebu City, especially during heavy rains.

City Planning and Development Office head Nigel Paul Villarete said the city will do its best to put a “little pressure” on DBM for the immediate release of the funds.

City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said that Department of Engineering and Public Works told him that Upper Mahayahay in barangay Apas is the other proposed area to build a retention pond.

The roads that lead to these two sitios – Sun-ok and Mahayahay – which are located in between mountains, are likened to rivers during heavy rains, as they serve as the pathway for rainwater to trail down to the lowlands.

“Anam-anamon lang nato paghimo ang mga rainwater catchments. Kun kuwang pa gani, buhatan na usab og lain,” Osmeña said.

The city already asked Department of Engineering and Public Works to study and recommend specific areas in barangays Kalunasan and Capitol Site where a dike can be built to prevent rainwater flooding the city streets. 

Osmeña earlier said he does not believe that improving the existing drainage system of the city will solve the flooding problem because, according to him, the best solution is to construct water catchments to hold rainwater from upland areas.

He also said that constructing water catchments would be much cheaper compared to overhauling the existing drainage system.

There were reports that some residents of Banawa in barangay Guadalupe even asked Capitol officials to help solve the flooding problem in their place, but Osmeña said the city has not been remiss in its duties.

“Dili man g’yud na malikayan ang flooding. Bisan didto sa Japan ug sa ubang countries dunay overflowing sa drainage systems,” Villarete also said. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)