Drainage project lacks mayor’s signature

CEBU, Philippines — The drainage project in Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City has been delayed further due to lack of signature of Mayor Edgardo Labella.

This prompted Kinasang-an Barangay Captain Susan Enriquez to appeal Labella to approve at the soonest possible time the use of the road right of way for the project.

Enriquez said the barangay has secured all the documents needed for the construction of a drainage project to address the decade-long flood problem in Sitio Paradise 3 affecting the Anak Urban and Muslim compound residents.

The project was supposed to start on November 23, 2020.

“Wala nama’y problema sa budget ug humana pud ang bidding. Wala nako’y problema sa documents. Nanghinaut lang mi ni Mayor Edgardo Labella nga iyang dunggon ang among problema,” said Enriquez.

The funding comes from the national budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through Cebu City South District Representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa.

The deed of donation for the road right of way was already signed on February 2011 between the Cebu City government who owns a portion of the property during the time of Vice Mayor Michael Rama as mayor and some owners of the establishments in the area.

Enriquez said all necessary documents were attached in her two separate request letters addressed to Labella on November 11 and November 24 informing and requesting the mayor that they will be using the road right of way from the proposed Kinasang-an Elementary School to Tagunol road.

However, Enriquez was informed by the office staff on December 11 that the letter was not yet signed by the mayor.

Citing cases of dengue and leptospirosis in the area which claimed at least four lives of children, Enriquez said she is eager to solve the decade-long flood problem.

“It is of our common knowledge that these people are suffering from flood during heavy rains and worst there are children that loss their lives because of dengue due to the stagnant water. It is our moral and humanitarian obligation to answer their needs not just as elected officials but also as a human being,” read the request letter of Enriquez addressed to labella.

A resident in Sitio Paradise 3 who asked not to be named has sent message to The Freeman through Facebook Messenger stating that they continue to suffer from stagnant water in the area.

During the barangay assembly on November 14, Enriquez has found a venue to explain to the residents that all documents needed, except the approval of Labella, are complete. — GMR (FREEMAN)