Mayor Rama to meet with Cebu contractors

CEBU, Philippines - To speed up the declogging of the drainage systems in Cebu City to prevent another flooding during heavy downpour, Mayor Michael Rama scheduled an urgent meeting with officials of the Cebu Contractors Association and some of the City Hall’s department heads.

Rama wants to listen to the suggestions of the officials of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and to get a quick response from members of the private contractors headed by Engr. Julito Roden.

The mayor would also like to know whether the City has the money to solve its drainage woes so he included City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva and Budget Officer Nelfa Briones in the meeting.

The other officials required to attend the meeting are City Engineer Kenneth Enriquez, City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete, Councilors Jose Daluz III and Roberto Cabarrubias. Daluz is the chairman of the City Council’s committee on budget and finance while Rama needs Cabarrubias in the meeting because he is also an engineer.

Rama earlier said he is willing to get a loan just to solve the drainage problem, but he has yet to discuss this with the City Council.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, however, already said he has no objection to Rama’s plan of getting a loan.

The city’s lowland areas such as Colon and Manalili Sts. usually experience flooding even during ordinary rain because of clogged drainage systems.

“Dili pa man mga enhenyero mao nga mangunsulta kita sa mga makamao kay sila man ang mga suheto kon unsaon pagsulbad ang problema,” Rama told the reporters. (We’re not engineers so let’s consult the experts because they would know better how to address this.)

Rama wants the City to take advantage of the summer by declogging the drainage systems. (FREEMAN)