The local government of Davao City is improving drainage systems to mitigate flooding in different parts of the city.
Supplemental Budget no.1 passed by the City Council has allotted P58-million for various projects aimed at improving existing drainage in flooded areas in the City.
These areas include the Quimpo Boulevard-Acacia Street junction which is given an allotment of P10-million, Palma Gil Street drainage project worth P8-million, Matina Crossing (NCCC Centerpoint) drainage at P4-million, Matina Pangi project also at P4-million.
City engineer Jose Gestuveo said these plans include widening/correction of culverts and connection of drainage systems. The projects are expected to be completed this year.
Gestuveo said their CEO staff is finding ways to solve floodings, adding that during heavy rains some of the CEO staff went out and to assess the situation and determine the causes of the flooding and possible solutions.
He bared that 25-year city drainage master plan needed review and updating particularly with the advent of the effects of climate change.
This year’s drainage infrastructure projects are areas which are priority projects because they flood easily during rain.
Meanwhile Mayor Sara Duterte said that she originally wanted to secure a loan for drainage projects, however, the city is still paying a huge chunk of its development fund for debt servicing to repay past loans spent on numerous infrastructure projects like drainage and traffic signalization. The City is allocating P700-million for this year alone to service its debts. [PIA 11/RG Alama]
