At A Glance
- DPWH is undertaking a six-month overhaul of key rivers in Cebu as part of its flood mitigation efforts.
- The initiative centers on the Mananga River in Talisay, alongside the enforcement of no-build zones.
- No-build zones are also being enforced along the Butuanon River to increase flood-carrying capacity.
Mananga River in Talisay, Cebu, is being widened and rehabilitated as the DPWH implements its six-month river restoration plan to strengthen flood control. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is racing to restore and widen key rivers in Cebu within six months as part of its flood mitigation efforts following last year’s deadly flooding in Central Visayas.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the river recovery initiative is centered on the Mananga River in Talisay, where the agency is undertaking river widening and strictly enforcing no-build zones.
“Let’s help the local government to fence downstream, and then upstream so we can recover the river—that’s the key now; the priority is to recover the river,” Dizon said, stressing that rehabilitating natural waterways remains a long-term solution to flooding.
The intensified push follows the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Tino last November, which affected 1,526,203 families or 5,458,858 individuals nationwide, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Central Visayas was among the hardest hit regions, recording 371,343 affected individuals and 138 fatalities—the highest number of deaths reported nationwide.
Dizon underscored the urgency of implementing river expansion measures ahead of the June–July rainy season.
“We have to take advantage of the time we have between now and the next rainy season to make sure that we can have solutions already on the ground in the next six months,” he said.
Apart from the Mananga River, the DPWH is also enforcing no-build zones along the Butuanon River to increase its flood-carrying capacity, following damage to flood control structures caused by Tino.
The agency is likewise studying additional flood mitigation measures, including the possible construction of a retention pond to temporarily hold floodwaters while preparations for a larger Sabo Dam are still underway.