Demands for Transparency from DPWH Regarding Archival Matters
In the heart of the Philippines, Cebu City continues to grapple with flooding issues, despite numerous flood control projects undertaken over the years. This is according to Mayor Nestor Archival, who recently expressed concern that the local government unit (LGU) is often left out of planning for these projects.
Mayor Archival has requested a comprehensive list of all flood control projects initiated in Cebu City since 2022, including their costs and current status, from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7. The Mayor aims to prioritise an upland rainwater catchment system to store excess water and supply farmers, as well as to rent an amphibian desilter to clear silted rivers in the city.
However, a search of publicly available data reveals no direct mention of specific flood control projects in Cebu City since 2022 with associated costs and status from DPWH or related sources. While the Build! Build! Build! program and the DPWH have records of various water resources and flood control projects across the nation, the data does not list Cebu City flood control projects since 2022, their costs, or statuses explicitly linked to Mayor Archival's request.
President Marcos Jr. has reported that Cebu Province ranks second nationwide in the number of flood control projects, but the province is not among the top 10 most flood-prone provinces. This discrepancy has prompted Mayor Archival to seek a clear understanding of the projects being undertaken for flood control in Cebu City.
In addition, Mayor Archival has requested a 24-hour work commitment and personnel assignment from the DPWH for new flood control projects to minimise traffic disruption. The Mayor has also urged residents to dispose of waste properly to help improve the flooding situation.
The Mayor has also highlighted encroachment on river easements and a narrow river mouth as major causes of flooding in some areas, and has pointed out that river water levels in some areas are higher than canal mouths, causing water to back up.
As the city continues to battle against flooding, Mayor Archival plans to continue the initiative started by the Task Force Gubat sa Baha and is hopeful for a significant improvement in the flooding situation within the next three years, aiming for a 45 to 50 percent improvement, or up to 80 percent if possible.
[1] Data source: [Link to the data source if available] [2] Reference: [Link to the reference if available] [3] Reference: [Link to the reference if available] [4] Reference: [Link to the reference if available]
