Widening of Cebu rivers eyed to prevent floods

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to widen the Mananga River in Talisay and other rivers prone to overflowing in Cebu, following recent storms that caused severe flooding in the province.

Public Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize flood management and minimize damage from future tropical cyclones.

“(This) will help control the flooding and in addition, we will be strictly enforcing a ‘No Build Zone’ around the rivers,” Dizon said.

He added, “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.”

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Super Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) affected 1,526,203 families or 5,458,858 individuals nationwide in November last year. Of these, 1,652 families—or 371,343 people—were in the Central Visayas region.

The NDRRMC also reported 253 fatalities from the typhoon, with Central Visayas recording the highest number of deaths at 138. TRACY CABRERA