P3.5M pushed for river study

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Rivers Commission is proposing P3.5 million for a comprehensive survey and development plan for the Mahiga River.

Mayor Michael Rama has already approved the project but still it needs the council approval for the utilization of the amount.

The council recently referred the matter to the council committee on budget and finance for review, but the committee has yet to provide a report.

The P3.5 million will be charged against the Local Development Fund under the Capital Outlays for River Management and Development Administration. The availability of the fund was certified by the City Treasurer’s Office.

Currently, City Budget Office said the total available appropriations for Development Administration is P1.75 million, while P1.9 million is for the River Management.

The project covers the data on the current size, width and depth of the river, all encroachments, structures and owners, and the equipment to be used, among others.

It will run from M.J. Cuenco to the mouth of the Mahiga River, being one of the complicated rivers in the city considering the number of illegal structures built at its premises.

To have effective river rehabilitation and development, CCRMC chairman Jose Daluz III said he is  laying down the plans which require the comprehensive survey of the parcillary (five meters each side of the road) topographic, hydrologic surveys of the present situation, encompassing the affected structures and owners and the virtual output of the development plan.

“Vital in addressing the pressing concern of flooding in the city is the rehabilitation of our rivers and the related concerns,” he said.

The project will also identify the midsection of the river by measuring 10 meter on its both sides to establish the new width throughout the stretch of the river.

Based on the Purchase Request of the river commission, the mode of payment includes 15-percent mobilization, 45-percent upon submission of deliverables, 30-percent upon acceptance of work and 10-percent retention. — (FREEMAN)