Mandaue City is moving forward with a citywide riverbank fencing project following recent severe flooding, aiming to enforce easements and protect residents from flood risks.
The project covers three-meter easements along riverbanks, beginning with the Butuanon River.
A contract between the city and On Point Construction and Development Corporation allocates at least P4.07 million for the project, to be completed within 150 calendar days.
Chairman of the Committee on Laws, Joel Seno, said the setbacks are based on a national law requiring river easements.
“It’s not a local ordinance but it’s a national law nga atoang gipatuman, nga nag-impose gyud ug easements sa rivers, riverbanks three meters back,” he said.
Seno added that the fencing is necessary to clearly mark easement boundaries and that riverbanks are now considered danger zones, especially after recent floods.
“Practically, it is a danger zone and we’re also trying to ipalayo nato sila sa kakuyaw,” he said, noting that the project is also a valid exercise of the general welfare clause under the local government code.
The fencing will initially focus on flood-prone and high-risk areas, particularly sections previously washed out, but Seno said the plan will gradually extend to all rivers within the city.
“Gi hinay-hinay lang na sya. The mayor started lang sa mga areas sa katong naigo sa baha, but it’s citywide,” he said.
Officials reported that residents in affected areas have been cooperative, with no resistance to the installation.
“I think sa mindset sad nila, ni-appreciate sad sila. There were no resistance sa pagbutang sa fences,” Seno said.
No demolition is required for the initial fence installations, as structures in the targeted sites have already been washed away, though officials acknowledged that some areas may still pose challenges. (VCL)
