Waterpark will ‘do more harm’ Talisay dad criticizes JVR's plan to develop Mananga River

CEBU, Philippines - For Talisay City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos Jr., chairman of the committee on environment and natural resources, developing Mananga River as a waterpark will do more harm than good.

During the State of the City Address of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, the mayor said he plans to develop the river in order to boost the tourism industry in the city. This will be done by excavating the river by four meters below sea level.

De los Reyes, who owns a nature park in Barangay Gaas, Balamban, said he is thinking of making something out of the Mananga River for the city residents and tourists to enjoy.

"Will it develop (the city) or do more harm to our environment?" Bacaltos said, adding that it might create a vacuum that can affect the stability of the ground water.

Aside from the taste of the water being affected, the city will become prone to danger when typhoon or high tide occurs.

Bacaltos said the mayor should take into consideration that the river overflows during heavy rains as public safety should be the prime consideration before embarking on such project.

Bacaltos shares with Cebu First District Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas in that a thorough study is needed to ensure that the plan would not endanger the public.

Instead of putting up a waterpark in Mananga River, Talisay City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos Jr. urged the mayor to focus on containing the illegal activities in the area, such as digging and stockpiling gravel, sand and boulders. These activities were reportedly conducted even without city government's permission.

The Mananga River is an integral part of the Central Cebu River System, which also includes Combado-Lusaran River basin, Kotkot River basin and Coastal River basin.

A significant part of Mananga River is within the territorial boundary of the City of Talisay, thus maximum protection to safeguard the ecological welfare of the river is of utmost importance to the city's officials. (FREEMAN)