Quisumbing belies withholding funds for relocation project

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing denied reports that the city government is withholding the budget intended to develop the 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan.

Quisumbing issued the denial following reports in the social media that he did not give provide funds for the development of the area.

"No, as a matter of fact, this is the first time we're able to budget an expanded outfall for the area to make sure that we're able to solve the flooding, gani, it's already in the pipeline and that we will bid it out," Quisumbing said.

About P200 million was provided for the Paknaan corridor under the city government’s master drainage plan. He said the amount is part of the P4-billion budget this year. This project will expand to the Butuanon River as its outfall area.

Butuanon River is the largest waterway found in the city that is adjacent to Barangays Umapad and Paknaan.

“We’re looking at a three-year phase implementation, the first phase will be the P200 million,” he said.

He said the old and existing culverts in the area were too small and were found below sea level which caused the flooding. Quisumbing said this needs to be changed with a more effective design.

He noted that this needs to be changed and transferred to elevated area that is above sea level.

"So ang nahitabo, siyempre, there’s already water daan. Unya kung mag-high tide, magsugat pa gyud sa uwan, overwhelming siya. So the design needs to be changed,” he said.

Quisumbing said the process would not be easy and quick. He said it needs time to do it.

“Para nako, dili man gud puwede basta mohatag ra ta unya kutob lang diha. It also must be decent, must be something dignified," he added.

The city government’s providing low-rise housing complex in Barangay Looc shows that his administration is devoted to serving the Mandauehanons, Quisumbing said.

“I’m very happy that finally there will be relief for the people that are living in the 6.5 kay for many years motaligsik ra gani, baha na dayon so we want to make sure and that new housing project will show that we’re very serious in providing og mga balay para sa atoang least fortunate na mga kaigsoonan,” he said.

The 6.5 relocation site was a project of then mayor and now sixth district Representative Jonas Cortes. (FREEMAN)