Drainage issues haunt Cabancalan locals

CEBU, Philippines - It's not an official name, but some residents, commuters and motorists have already tagged a site in Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City as "Boracay" following the persistent drainage problem experienced within the area.

The Mandaue City government said it will fast-track the acquisition of land in Barangay Cabancalan as ownership issues have allegedly been the main reason of the delay in addressing the drainage problem in "Boracay."

Mandaue City Legal Officer Giovani Tianero said once the amount of money needed for the land acquisition has already been approved, then they can start with the project.

Tianero admitted that land acquisition is one of the problems of the city government in addressing the drainage problem going to Sitio Pilit in Barangay Cabancalan.

Cabancalan barangay captain Cynthia Remedio in a separate interview with The Freeman said the people of her barangay are inconvenienced because of the drainage problem.

Remedio said most of those affected are the students and residents from Sitio Pilit and neighboring sitios.

She said several attempts to address the problem have been made but failed because the project needs a proper drainage system up to Butuanon River.

Reports said during the administration of former congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, she allocated funds to put up a drainage system in the area. It is not known, however, how the project was undertaken.

The Department of Public Works and Highways once installed a water catchment in the place but it it only "temporarily solved the problem."