Construction of gambion dams at Butuanon River underway

CEBU, Philippines —  Mandaue City is expected to benefit the gabion dams the Cebu City government is set to build in the upstream of Butuanon river.

Reymar Hijara, chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, said they have already presented the plan to the city government of Mandaue.

Earlier, suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes signed an agreement to jointly rehabilitate the Mahiga and Butuan Rivers to address the massive flooding in the city.

Part of the plan is for the Cebu City government to put up gabion dams.

“After visiting rivers as part of our biodiversity plan, we found that gabion dams are more durable than purely concrete walls for flood control,” Hijara told The Freeman after meeting with Mandaue City officials the other night.

Hijara was also glad to note that their office thru the Cebu City River Management Council has successfully advocated the re-implementation of a previously approved project, which is the construction of gabion dams.

“Initially budgeted at P150 million last year, the project now has a P200-million budget,” Hijara said.

This involves constructing 13 segments of gabion dams over a 1.2-kilometer stretch of the Butuanon River.

The project will be managed and funded by the Cebu City government thru the   Department of Engineering and Public Works. The realization of the project will not only benefit Cebu City but even Mandaue City, Hijara said.

“Maka-tabang ta sa Manduae City ani kay Cebu City man ang upstream nga part sa Butuanon River and tungod ana kay bisan ulan sa atoa nga part and wala sa Mandaue kay adto gyud padulong ang tubig nga maka-cause ug baha sa ila jurisdiction. This is part of the Memorandum of Agreement signed by Mayor Mike and Mayor Jonas in the program Beyond Borders,” Hijara explained.

More to addressing flood, Hijara added that this will also benefit Cebu City “by slowing down the flow of water therefore helping to recharge our aquifers”.

“Dr. (Danilo) Jaque also discussed some incorporations pud ani kay mas nindot daw naa mini dam para ma-detain nato ang tubig and puwede pa magamit sa community sa taas or even a source gyud sa tubig for distribution,” Hijara added.

Jaque is a consultant of the City’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha.

Hijara said they hope this project can already start within this year to avoid complications with its funding.

“Dapat ma-start to implement na this year kay og dili, mabalik ang funds na pud sa kaban sa Cebu City LGU. Hassle kaayo baya advocate nga mabalik na pud sa funding,” Hijara said. (CEBU NEWS)