Mayor Thadeo Ouano said Mandaue City has spent about P657 million on flood control projects under the 2018 Drainage Master Plan, on August 23, to address flooding concerns in urban and low-lying areas.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocated more than P3 billion for Mandaue’s flood control from 2022 to 2025, including Butuanon River, which is considered a critical zone.
Ouano directed the City Engineering Office and DPWH to conduct a joint inspection of completed and ongoing flood control projects, focusing on engineering standards, design specifications, and proper construction methodologies.
In a previous interview, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) head Architect Marlo Ocleasa explained that most of the funded projects in the city are modular, under P50 million each, and are carried out in phases to systematically address flood-prone areas within the annual budget.
“Our priority is to fix drainage chokepoints, particularly along A.S. Fortuna Street, where several tributaries and runoff sources meet,” Ocleasa said.
He added that they focus on constructing well-designed outfalls to manage stormwater, particularly in higher-elevation areas.
Additionally, Ocleasa said that projects exceeding the P50 million budget usually require external funding carried out by DPWH and the city government.
DPWH also had a Metro Cebu Drainage Plan that is similarly aligned with Mandaue’s master plan to ensure a unified and region-wide approach to address flood and urban runoff problems.
Ocleasa stressed that completion of this master plan is important and full implementation would provide long-term relief for the recurring floods in Mandaue.
“With proper execution and inter-agency collaboration, we are confident that the city can overcome its flooding challenges,” he said.
