CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon said that the P1.9 billion out of P3.1 billion for Mandaue City infrastructures is due for implementation this year.
Ouano-Dizon said that the flood mitigation and drainage improvement programs worth P1.9 billion are the largest shares from the infrastructure budget for the city and that she aggressively pushed this to be included in the General Appropriations Act of 2024.
The projects are slated to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways this year.
“This is the biggest chunk in the P3.1B budget that is earmarked for Mandaue City under the DPWH Budget and we are happy because we are addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders in various consultations last year," Ouano-Dizon said in a statement.
She said the perennial flooding problem in the UC-LM area has to stop.
“Grabe na diha kay it leads to a very busy bridge to Lapu-Lapu City,” she added.
She said that the situation where overflowing of water from a fishpond resulted to a heavy flooding in Santo Niño Village in Mandaue City has to be addressed also.
Ouano-Dizon said that she is also putting funds for Butuanon, Subangdaku River and Mahiga Creek which overflow in heavy downpours causing flooding in communities and major streets.
Butuanon River flood mitigation programs in various sections is P1.082 billion while Subangdaku River and Mahiga Creek allocations are in the total of P250 million. The share for flood mitigation budget in sitio Orel and in Santo Niño Village is P160 million.
Flood control in Tingub Creek is in the amount of P50 million while similar infrastructure in Basak Creek is worth P150 million and P70 million for Tipolo River.
Ouano-Dizon also gives priority to road improvement with drainage facilities in various barangays of Mandaue with a total budget of P160 million, including P41 million for UC-LM area.
Ouano-Dizon added that she appreciated the national government’s efforts of giving importance to flood control and mitigation program since this will help address the persistent flooding problem hounding the Mandaue City.
“2024, ako gyud gipaniguro nga maka secure tag funding from the national government through DPWH, pag address sa flooding sa atong syudad,” Ouano Dizon said.
Ouano-Dizon further said that aside from flood control, other projects are also set to be implemented this year such as the Marcelo Fernan Bridge retrofitting and rehabilitation amounting to P180 million, water pump stations in barangays Casili, Ibabao, Tingub, and Maguikay with a total P48 million, multi-purpose buildings, among others.
Ouano-Dizon she has already updated Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes regarding the implementation of said projects through a letter dated January 10, 2024 that was received on January 18, 2024. — (FREEMAN)