Multiple drainage works ongoing

CEBU, Philippines — While waiting for the approval from the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and the City Council on the declogging machine that the city government intends to purchase, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) is also working on constructing better and bigger drainage systems in different areas in the city to address flooding.

DEPW head engineer Norman del Mar said acting Mayor Raymond Garcia already gave instructions for the immediate purchase of declogging machines as a short-term solution to flooding.

“Definitely once ma-approved to gikan sa technical working group sa BAC Goods i-approve na sad sa Konseho na sad, una pa ‘ta makapalit og declogging (machine),” Del Mar said.

The city government has reportedly has set aside ?24 million for two declogging machines.

But while waiting, DEPW also has its hands full on desilting, declogging, and dredging the city’s rivers and canals.

Recently, DEPW did some clearing operations in Barangay T. Padilla, and along St. Michael’s Subdivision in Barangay Kasambagan.

DEPW is also looking at improving the drainage lines along MJ Cuenco Avenue, D. Jakosalem, T. Padilla, and. V. Sotto streets going to the river along Barangay Tejero. This is mainly to address the long-time flooding in Barangay Parian especially along Bonifacio Street, Tinago, and T. Padilla.

Another drainage line is being worked on at the Estero de Parian that will go to D. Jakosalem and eventually to the sea to address flooding in Colon Street.

Aside from that, it was also learned that DEPW is also looking into buying an excavator next year while also adding personnel to man the city rivers. — (FREEMAN)