Gov. Gwen Garcia met with Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas on June 24 at the Capitol Gallery to discuss the progress on the Mananga River desilting efforts.
During the meeting, Gov. Garcia outlined plans to define the riverbed’s size, both downstream and upstream, in compliance with easement rules.
She assured the barangay captains present that the Provincial Government, in collaboration with concerned LGUs, would take necessary steps to mitigate any adverse effects on residents living near the riverbanks.
She ordered Capitol engineers and contractors to initially put markers along the river to define its easement and varying riverbed size.
Present were 3 barangay captains from Talisay City and 4 from Cebu City; as well as DPWH regional director Ernesto Gregorio Jr., MCWD general manager Edgar Donoso, and Engr. Mary Ann Bueno, chief of the Environmental Impact Assessment Section of EMB 7.
Mananga River, a major water source for MCWD, traverses the jurisdictions of the cities of Cebu and Talisay.
Gov. Garcia has initiated desilting activities along the river to address the depleting water supply for MCWD brought by the El Niño. The desilting and dredging in the area helped uncover water springs which had been blocked by heavy siltation through the years. Desilting also ensured that pools are avoided and water flows freely to the Jaclupan Facility of MCWD.
During the rainy days, dredging the riverbeds also avoids flooding. All in all, the initiative aims to ensure a stable water supply for MCWD as a proactive measure, particularly during the hotter months.| CSL
