DPWH to rehabilitate two Mandaue streets

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu sixth district representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing yesterday announced that the Department of Public Works and Highways will soon implement a P45 million project to address the flooding along A.S. Fortuna Street and Hernan Cortes Street in barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

This as Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also announced during a one-day drainage summit at the city hall that he has already deferred his plan to construct a government center next year but the city should instead focus on solving the city's drainage problem.

Quisumbing, during an interview yesterday, said that upon assumption of office last year he immediately asked DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson to prioritize the problem along A.S. Fortuna Street and Hernan Cortes Street where rain water rises waist deep and stall vehicles during heavy rains.

Quisumbing is also affected considering that his residence and district office are also located at A.S. Fortuna Street.

He said that since the P45 million project is set to materialize this quarter, his office will help the 6th district Engineering Office in the monitoring the project.

"The rains are upon us again and we want to have our flood control facilities in place along the stretch in A.S. Fortuna, in front of Rolling Hills.

This infrastructure project will likewise see a major improvement and rehabilitation of the Hernan Cortes road," Quisumbing said.

He also said yesterday his projects will not overlap with the projects of the city government.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday announced his decision to defer the construction of a government center next year and instead focus in solving the drainage problem and the classroom shortage in the city.

Cortes announced this during the first "Mandaue Stormwater Management Seminar-Workshop" initiated by the mayor yesterday at the city's session hall which was attended by 27 barangay captains and officials, DPWH representatives, Mandaue Realty Corporation-FF Cruz and Company, city hall officials, and other experts.

The mayor said the summit was designed to review the Comprehensive Drainage Masterplan formulated ten years ago and come up with a revised one based on the actual situation as reported by barangay officials, adding they have to harmonize their drainage projects.

The summit also aimed at coming up with short term and long term programs.

Dr. Danilo Jaque made an overview of storm water management and various flood control system while Engr. Leonor Salazar expounded on the various flood control system.

City Planning Officer Archt. Florentino Nimor, Jr. said FF Cruz and Co. was invited in view of the absence of an outflow of its drainage system in their development projects in the north reclamation area. (FREEMAN)