City eyes feasibility study for mini-dams

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is looking at conducting a feasibility study for the building of mini-dams in different areas in the city to address the flooding problem. It is also seen to help solve the city's water shortage problem.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, who chairs the City Council's committee on infrastructure, said that the Gubat sa Baha Board recently presented to Metropolitan Cebu Water District chairman Mike Pato some potential areas in the mountain barangays where mini-dams or detention ponds can be constructed.

The on-going flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were also discussed together with Dr. Danny Jaque, City Hall consultant.

“Our objective here is to find a long-term solution to mitigate flooding sa city,” Guardo said.

As discussed before, one of the major causes of flooding in the city is the run-off water upstreams.

It was found out that most of the projects implemented by the DPWH are “vertical flood control projects", including improvement on rivers and creeks.

“But actually, we’re not regulating and controlling water from the upstream. Ang ato lang nga hapsay, hamugaway iyang pagsubay sa tubig sa sapa,” Guardo said, stressing the need to construct mini-dams.

Among the barangays were mini-dams may be built are Buhisan, Butuanon, and Toong.

Once these mini dams are built, the accumulated water may also be used to supply the MCWD, Guardo said.

Guardo, however, said, with a huge amount expected for this project, the City Government would need to conduct a feasibility study first.

The City Government will also be seeking assistance from DPWH for the study.

Guardo said that Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is considering at “either a joint venture or a PPP (public-private partnership), or it could be fully funded by the National Government depending on the scoop of work,” Guardo said.

The plan to desilt and deepen the retention ponds around the University of San Carlos-Talamban campus also remains under its short-term plan, Guardo said.

Guardo said he wants to bring this matter with the City Council soon.