Truckloads of garbage retrieved from drainage system in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - A team from the engineering department of the city government of Mandaue and a representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) removed truckloads of garbage from the drainage at corner M.C. Briones Street and M. L. Quezon Street, Mandaue City.

Archt. Florentino Nimor Jr., city planning officer and member of the drainage and anti-flooding committee of the city government, said eight flood prone areas were assessed for a week starting the other day.

Representing DPWH was Engr. Myrna de la Serna, chief, Materials Quality Assurance, DPWH – sixth district.

He said that while conducting an ocular inspection at M.C. Briones St. corner Maguikay flyover corner they opened the two manholes and recovered more than a truckload of garbage.

“This is one factor why our drainage system is clogged up in view of indiscriminate throwing of garbage especially plastic materials,” Nimor said.

According to Nimor they will continue opening other manholes and clear these of garbage.

Other target areas include corner Tipolo flyover, corner Sudlon-Maguikay, Basak area, corner Pagsabungan, corner M. L. Quezon flyover, Plaridel Street corner Tita Gwapa, among others.

Nimor said they will take into account the viability of the outflow and the crisscrossing of the city’s drainage and that of DPWH.

Mayor Jonas Cortes has deferred last year the construction of a new government center to allow the use of the budget for infrastructure particularly improvement of the drainage system.

The inefficiency of the drainage system was attributed to the lack of actual coordination between the city government and DPWH. (CONTRIBUTED)