A flood problem in one city can quickly become a problem for another, pushing Cebu City and Mandaue City to continue coordinating efforts to manage waterways shared by both jurisdictions.
The two cities renewed their cooperation on flood mitigation, waste management and river rehabilitation during Beyond Borders 5.0 held at the Holiday Inn on Sept. 18.
The discussions focused on the Butuanon River and Mahiga Creek, including updates on river conservation, flood control and community-based environmental programs, as well as measures that require coordination between the two local governments.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano attended the gathering with representatives from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau 7 (DENR EMB 7), University of San Carlos Water Resources Center (USC WRC), Department of Urban and Waterways Planning (DUWP), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Archival emphasized that cooperation is necessary because rivers cross political boundaries.
Ouano likewise pointed to the need for coordination between the cities because Mandaue is downstream and receives runoff from Cebu City’s upland barangays.
The two cities’ latest discussions build on the agreements reached during Beyond Borders 4.0 in 2025, when they committed to integrating flood management efforts along the Butuanon River and Mahiga Creek.
Among the six major projects identified under the earlier partnership were improvements to Mahiga Creek, the construction of gabion dams in upstream areas of Cebu City, restoration of river easements, installation of early warning systems, deployment of trash traps and updates to the drainage master plans of both cities.
The partnership also included the construction of a large canal to direct water from upland barangays toward the rivers and regular river cleanups to address siltation and garbage buildup.
The need for joint action is linked to the movement of water between the two jurisdictions. Cebu City serves as an upstream area, while lower-lying parts of Mandaue, including Subangdaku and Tipolo, have experienced flooding during heavy rainfall.
Officials and partner organizations also identified silt buildup, river encroachment and solid waste as problems that can affect the capacity of waterways to carry water during periods of heavy rain.
Beyond Borders was launched in 2022 as an intercity initiative focused on flooding and river rehabilitation.
Since then, it has continued as a partnership involving Cebu City, Mandaue City and various government and institutional partners.
Beyond Borders 5.0 focused on moving the commitments toward implementation, with sustainable river governance, flood resilience and waste management remaining among the areas of cooperation.
A ceremonial Biofence Linking was also conducted during the event to represent the continuing partnership between the two cities and their shared responsibility for waterways and nearby communities.
The updates presented during the gathering showed progress in the joint initiatives while also pointing to the need for stronger enforcement and increased community participation.
Photo courtesy of Joel Garganera - Panday / Facebook
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