Tycoon to ‘adopt’ Mahiga Creek

CEBU, Philippines — Business tycoon Hans Sy is interested to “adopt” the Mahiga Creek in Cebu City and implement projects that would address flooding in the city caused by the creek.

This is one of the news that Mayor Michael Rama brought back following his recent visit to Singapore with Sy.

Mayor Rama said they went to see for themselves Singapore’s water sources and storage and flood control systems, among others, that may be applicable here.

Sy is the fourth child of the late Henry Sy, founder of the SM Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the country.

He is the former president and current director of SM Prime Holdings, a property developer under SM Investments that operates SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City in Cebu City.

The mayor’s delegation and Sy visited Singapore’s National Water Agency and Coastal Protection Agency, to learn water sustainability, as well as the Marina Barrage, a dam that serves as water storage, flood control, and recreation for Singapore residents.

The mayor and his team also visited the Philippine Embassy to get insights on Singapore’s solid waste management (SWM).

Singapore officials are likewise set to visit the city soon to share insights about their country’s SWM.

Rama earlier said that that it would be a win-win situation if Sy would help the city, as he has businesses here.

He tasked Metropolitan Cebu Water District Board Chairman Melquiades Feliciano to discuss with Sy on how he plans to roll-out projects at the Mahiga Creek, which straddles Cebu City and Mandaue City.

The mayor said that following their Singapore visit, Sy had expressed interest to adopt the creek.

“Because of that meeting and ocular inspection, Gen. Feliciano who is in charge of water, had a discussion with Hans Sy in adopting Mahiga Creek,” Rama said during his regular program via the Sugboanon Channel.

He said Sy was interested on how to come up with our own version of the Marina Barrage and apply its functionalities to help solve the city’s flooding problem.

Sy reportedly is committed to invest in the such a project, as it would also mean good business for him.

Rama assured that Sy is not driven by immediate recovery of investments if he (Sy) proceeds with his plan.

“Whatever will be invested, years from now, dili man na mawala ang SM. There might be some recoupment of investment,” the mayor said. — (FREEMAN)