Rama denies blaming Mandaue for flooding

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said he was surprised over Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes’s adverse reaction to his previous statement calling for the demolition of all footbridges at the Mahiga Creek.

“I clarify that this is not a blame game. This is more of putting things in the proper perspective,” the mayor said in a news conference before leaving for Hong Kong.

Rama said he only called for the demolition of all footbridges built on top of the Mahiga Creek since these have obstructed the narrow creek.

He said Cortes’s accusation that he was blaming Mandaue City for the flooding was baseless.

“I was really worried when all those bridges continue to be there, and the water will continue to (go) up. What will happen when people will start to use the bridge? The ending will be too dangerous,” Rama said.

Before his trip to Portugal last month, Rama announced that he wanted the footbridges removed. He also said Mandaue City should also act on these bridges as soon as possible.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella together with some councilors met with Mandaue City officials led by Cortes where they agreed to postpone the demolition of the footbridges to give Mandaue officials time to inform the settlers on their side about the plan.

When he came back last week and found out that the footbridges have not been demolished yet, Rama reiterated that he wants the demolition to push through immediately.

“Remove the bridge, they will take care of their side. A three-meter easement on their side will create a better picture of Mahiga. And this will be all in line with environmental preservation and preparing for any calamity or disaster to come,” the Cebu City mayor said.

Rama said the demolition of the footbridges is important to give way for dredging of the creek.

“The Mahiga River really has to be addressed. It has to be dredged and you can’t dredge it if there are bridges,” he added.

A P7.2 million dredging project for the Mahiga River was proposed by Cebu City Hall’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) as an immediate solution to the flooding.

But the Cebu City Council rejected the proposal, saying it is a temporary solution and a waste of money.

Last Monday, Cortes told reporters that Rama should not blame Mandaue City for the Sept. 18 floods.

He said Rama should check on the slaughterhouse’s waste water treatment facilities which has not been functioning properly for years.

Cortes said the waste water from the slaughterhouse is discharged directly to the creek which causes siltation.

Rama said he told his Mandaue counterpart when they met in an event last week that he’ll push through with the demolition.

Rama said he wants some beautification projects done in the cleared portion of the Mahiga Creek from the area near the APM Mall to the Cebu City slaughterhouse.

Immediate solution

When told about Cortes’s statement that the Cebu City slaughterhouse didn’t pay fees to Mandaue City, Rama said he didn’t know about it.

“I don’t know that issue. That abattoir wasn’t mine before. It’s called modern, but it’s ugly. That’s why part of our (proposed 2015) budget will be addressing it,” Rama said.

Another location

Dr. Pilar Romero, Cebu City Abattoir Operations Division chief, said they’ve been talking to the City Council about improving the slaughterhouse.

“We want to at least have a Double A accreditation from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), which can allow our meat to be distributed anywhere in the country,” Romero said.

Romero said they’re also looking for another location for a new abattoir since their current site is surrounded by informal settlers.

Part of the requirements for NMIS accreditation is that an abattoir should be 100 meters away from a residential area.

Related Story:

Mayor Cortes tells Cebu City mayor to check his own ‘violations’ in Mahiga Creek