Cimatu vows to deliver flood-free Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu vows to complete his work for a flood-free Cebu City while Mayor Michael Rama has pledged to everyone affected by the recovery of the three-meter easement that they would be relocated within the city.

Cimatu, although already honored with the Order of Rajah Humabon by the Cebu City Government last year, was awarded again during the 86th Cebu City Charter Day celebration for his new role.

From his successful role as overseer of Covid-19, Cimatu was tapped by Rama last year as chairman of the Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TFGB).

While combating Covid-19, Cimatu and Rama established a friendship that also paved the way for the former to become one of the godfathers of Rama’s youngest son, MJ.

In return for his friendship with Rama and the trust and confidence in him, Cimatu, an adopted son of Cebu City, vowed to perform his role to the best of his ability.

“This another award for me here, this time for the role as chairman of Task Force Gubat sa Baha…Thank you mayor for your friendship and for making me a ninong of your son MJ…Rest assured that I will continue doing my role as chairman to hand over a flood-free Singapore-like Cebu City to MJ and to the younger and next generation of Cebu City,” Cimatu said.

After dealing with the Lahug river, Cimatu and TFGB is gearing toward the rehabilitation of the Parian river.

Earlier, Cimatu told The FREEMAN that the Parian river is a very important part of Cebuanos’ history and that rehabilitation should be done soon.

Parian used to be a passage for traders but was later occupied by business establishments and eventually blocked the waterways, causing flooding in the area.

Aside from Parian and Lahug, the city had identified six other rivers for rehabilitation.

As the city is recovering the three-meter easement of the city’s waterways, Rama also pledged during the testimonial dinner of the 86th Charter Day celebration that those affected residents will have to be relocated – still within Cebu City.

“If and when there will be some who will be relocated, they should not be relocated out of Cebu City, they should be part of the city. It shall be an integrated approach…We cannot drive them out, they came over to the city with a dream and we must respond to that…and I am asking for everybody’s help,” Rama said.

Although the national government has committed to building 30,000 homes for Cebu City, the city government, however, needs more to give way to those who are affected by the recovery of the city’s rivers and other initiatives. (FREEMAN)