Cebu City to release P15 million after state of calamity declaration

Local

FLOODED streets and clogged rivers have prompted Cebu City to declare a state of calamity and release P15 million to fast-track desilting efforts before another downpour hits.

The Cebu City Council approved the declaration during its regular session on Tuesday, July 22, unlocking a portion of the P60 million Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the third quarter.

The immediate goal is to clear silted rivers and prevent a repeat of the July 16 flooding that submerged several areas across the city.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, proponent of the disaster resolution, confirmed that the allocation will cover desilting operations citywide based on recommendations from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

“Aside sa Estero de Parian, all rivers gyud based on the recommendation sa Department of Engineering and Public Works, silted na gyud kaayo, silted na kaayo atong mga rivers so mag desilting gamit ang quick response funds (QRF) so that ang nahitabo nga heavy flooding dili na masinati [usab] sa atong dakbayan,” Tumulak said in an interview.

The decision followed questions from Councilor Harold Go, who inquired why the declaration was only made days after the flooding.

“I would like to inquire with Member Tumulak on the basis for the declaration of the statement of calamity, considering that the calamity already happened on July 16 and it was already July 22,” Go said during deliberations.

Tumulak responded that the calamity declaration was based on the July 16 incident, as endorsed by the CCDRRMC, to enable the city to tap its 30 percent QRF share from the P60 million budget for the third quarter. Of this, P15 million will be initially spent for desilting and declogging rivers and waterways.

Asked for a breakdown, Tumulak said it would be up to the DEPW as they are responsible for preparing the Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP).

He also clarified that rental of equipment was being considered, especially after a provider presented to Mayor Nestor Archival a specialized amphibious desilting machine capable of operating in rivers.

“Ang provider ni present didto sa atong mayor regarding inganing amphibious desilting machine mao ni siyay mo paso paso sa atong sapa,” he said.

As to whether P15 million would be enough, Tumulak said, “Well, it's up to the engineering, but if they need more budget, and that's the time we will see first the 15 million.”

He added there is no definite duration yet for the state of calamity, as the mayor has not lifted it, and new threats are already looming.

“Wala pa, wala pa man gi-lift ni Mayor as of this time. Especially this time nga naa nasad impending threat ang habagat. There are three low-pressure [areas] na nakita sa PAGASA and mag-expect ang city nga duna nasad heavy downpour next few days,” Tumulak said.

Among the areas severely affected by flooding are Estero de Parian, the MJ Cuenco River, and the Tagunol area, which Tumulak said are located in low-lying barangays.

He also pointed to garbage as one of the key contributors to the flooding.

“The heavy flooding in the downtown area in Cebu on July 16, ang usa na nakita na factors is garbage, garbage gyud as what we have observed because I was in Colon during that heavy downpour, ang makita nimo basura gyud,” he said.

Tumulak said Archival has already called the attention of the Department of Public Services and barangay officials to strictly enforce the city’s ordinance on garbage segregation and support cleanup efforts.(TGP)