Cebu City eyes: Output-based payment for dredging, desilting

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is considering an innovative approach to address its dredging and desilting needs by opting to pay contractors based on output rather than purchasing or renting equipment, according to City Councilor Jerry Guardo.

Guardo, the city s infrastructure overseer, told The Freeman that after a series of trials and experiments, a prospective supplier has developed a more  durable and feasible  method for dredging and desilting, especially in the interior portions of rivers and creeks.

Dredging involves the removal of sediments, debris, and other materials from the bottoms of water bodies, while desilting focuses specifically on clearing fine silt and sediment accumulations.

 Once operational, we will probably be the first LGU coming up with this innovation and technology for dredging and desilting works,  Guardo said.

The method utilizes an amphibian excavator and a conveyor system designed to reach constricted areas typically inaccessible to conventional equipment.

 We ve been doing a lot of desilting already, but normally, naa ra gyud tungod sa bridge Based sa akong observation before, ang gamit lang gyud nila is backhoe unya sud sa standby na dump truck But maglisod mi g deploy sa backhoe so diha ra gyud ang ma dredge namo sa tungod sa bridge and sa ma-reach out lang sa bucket (of the backhoe),  Guardo explained.

Due to the dense urbanization near rivers and creeks, particularly in lowland areas, mobilizing traditional equipment has become increasingly difficult.

However, the newly developed system offers a solution. The conveyor belt used in this setup is expandable, allowing the machinery to reach further away from the bridge.

In a recent trial, the prospective supplier successfully navigated a narrow creek in Colon Area, between Gaisano Main and 168 Mall, proving the equipment's effectiveness in tight spaces.

 If this works in a small creek, it will be much easier to implement in other areas, complementing the city s flood control projects,  Guardo noted.

The city is now exploring the possibility of either renting the equipment or paying the supplier based on the volume of dredged and desilted materials.

 But we prefer to pay based on output  maybe per ton or per cubic meter. They will handle everything   the technology, equipment, hauling, and disposal. They will just bill us based on their output,  Guardo said.

He believes this approach is more practical and efficient, as it eliminates the need for the city to maintain equipment and personnel.

  It would be a waste if the equipment just sat idle  Plus, they have the expertise to handle any issues that arise,  he added.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia has instructed the City Engineering Office to finalize the terms of reference within the month, paving the way for the bidding process to begin soon.

Guardo expressed hope that the plan would be finalized swiftly, allowing work to start ahead of the rainy season.

This urgency aligns with a recent memorandum from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which called on local government units to enhance preparedness for La Ni a and the rainy season.   FPL (CEBU NEWS)