Bulacao River easement development kicks off

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama led the ground breaking ceremony of the Bulacao River’s three-meter Easement Development Project on Monday.

He was joined by Cebu City South District Representative Eduardo Rama, lawyer Gerardo Carillo, project chairperson; Bernard Maraasin, executive director of the Sugbo Bike Lanes; and Vincent Lazaro from Ingenium Werks.

The project aims to recover the three-meter easement and to protect the river.

The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier reported that eight rivers in Cebu City are dead and need immediate action to revive and make it habitable and eco-dynamic.

Lazaro said that in line with the dream of Mayor Rama to clean the rivers, they take the lead as the private sector to develop a water treatment facility for people to see how useful is cleaning the area for their advantage regarding water intake and household use.

Upstream will also be established for the sediments to not reach the rivers, along with litter catchers that filter the waste.

Lazaro said that if this will all be coordinated, realization of flood control follows giving importance and benefits of the commenced project.

Carillo, on the other hand, said the project is a public-private partnership wherein the labors and construction is handled by the private groups, donating materials and other water companies helping to clean up the river.

As a component of the project, there will be an alternative route for smaller vehicles from higher areas of Bulacao down to Inayawan and the Boulevard which is useful in terms of time efficiency for commuters.

Once the project is completed, this will provide a clear river, cheaper water, flood prevention and finally access to bike lanes and vehicles for the people emphasizing Cebu as a connecting and accessible city. — Marjorie S. Loberanes, BiPSU Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)