SM engineers arrive to help Cebu City gov’t address flooding

SM Prime Holdings yesterday sent to Cebu two of their Manila-based engineers to coordinate with the Cebu City government in addressing flooding affecting their mall in the North Reclamation Area (NRA) and a new project site at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Roberto “Bu” Varquez, SRP manager, said Engr. Teodoro Bautista, vice president for operations, and a technical consultant will be making site visits of both malls.

Varquez said the two engineers were supposed to join Friday morning’s  meeting between Mayor Michael Rama and SM Cebu mall management but their flight was canceled because of typhoon Mario.

They arrived in Cebu yesterday morning.

Both engineers are also scheduled to meet with  Jose Daluz III, head of the city’s river commission, since outflows of the Mahiga River affects the mall and other establishments in the NRA during prolonged rain.

“Mayor Rama called Hans Sy on Thursday and discussed the flooding problems at their two malls.  They are very cooperative.  They want to work closely with the city in addressing the problem,” said Varquez.

Parts of the SRP including its Mambaling access road were  submerged in knee-deep water during the downpour on Sept. 18.

“There are two main issues here.  It was a unique raining episode.  It was not normal. That’s why it overflowed at the SM construction site and the Calungsod templete,” he said.

SM management gave their commitment to help install additional and bigger 36-foot culverts in Lot 8, where the templete stands.

“SM is willing to supply the materials because if the city government  would handle that, delivery would take longer,” said Varquez.