In response to the ongoing water crisis in Cebu, the Provincial Government and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) are exploring desilting measures at the 15-kilometer Mananga River in Talisay City and the 6.5-kilometer Lusaran River in Cebu City.
“Grabe na kaayong siltation aning Mananga nga na-compact na,” Gov. Gwen Garcia said in a meeting with MCWD officials, led by general manager Edgar Donoso, Manila Water Philippine Ventures general manager Stan Genosa, and Cebu contractors on May 13.
Silt is sand or soil that is carried along by flowing water and then dropped, especially at a bend in a river or at a river’s opening. By clearing the river bed of obstructions such as boulders and silt, water could flow more freely and stagnant pools shall be avoided.
“Kung ma-desilt ni, mogawas gyod ang tubig,” the governor said, pointing to siltation seen in the recent video footage of the river presented by MCWD.
Both rivers, which typically provide 30,000 cubic meters of water per day each, are now delivering less, with Mananga accounting for only 6,000 cubic meters of water per day while Lusaran produces 8,000 cubic meters daily.
Gov. Gwen said the Capitol will issue special permits to contractors so they could begin desilting works in Mananga. It can be recalled that on April 29, the governor also ordered desilting in Carmen’s Luyang River which delivers 35 million liters of water daily to MCWD.
For Lusaran River in Cebu City, however, authorities are investigating environmental violations before proceeding with desilting efforts, after it was noted that there have been obstructions in the river committed by a water treatment facility that also supplies water to MCWD. | BJR
