Garcia assures mitigating measures vs dry season

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the budget cut, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia assured that mitigating measures have been set for the upcoming dry season.

In an interview with reporters, Garcia said there is already a long-term solution to address the lack of water supply in Cebu City.

According to him, he has been advocating for the creation of dams in upland areas, which is seen to address the shortage of water supply during the heat season.

He said that the dams are supposed to help ease the flow of water from the city proper during heavy downpours to prevent flooding incidents.

As for the short-term solution, Garcia said water tankers will be deployed in upland areas to aid residents and farmers should there be a dry spell.

Garcia, however, added that the City may need the assistance of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on this matter.

“Because I heard daghan kaayo sila'g budget aron ilang magamit sa kanang pag-realign sa mga areas nga naay tubig padung sa mga areas nga walay tubig,” said Garcia. “Of course, we can help with that, but limited ra ang budget kompara sa National Government, among others."

Garica said there was supposed to be a budget intended for the creation of dams under the Comprehensive Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation budget, which was slashed from P200 million to only P1 by the Cebu City Council during the deliberation of the annual budget.

“Mao ta to akong gamiton sa mini dams and gabion dams. So now, I will have to look for another source,” said Garcia.

Last year, Cebu City has declared a state of calamity in all the mountain barangays. On top of this, a water crisis has also been declared.

However, it was recently found out that the lack of water supply in the city was also attributed to the unsigned excavation permit applications of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), which prevented them from providing water supply to the residents and farmers in the upland villages.

Garcia, however, said that this year, the situation “would be better.”

“It really should be better because the MCWD has already increased its water supply because I think they already entered into a bulk water supply agreement with either desalination plants or new sources of water, so it should be better,” said Garcia. — (FREEMAN) JG