In recent weeks, Cebu has been buzzing with conversations about flooding and corruption in government projects. Many people are frustrated, seeing funds meant for infrastructure wasted while families continue to suffer during heavy rains. Amid the frustration, it was refreshing to see Slater Young, a Cebuano businessman and former PBB winner, step up and volunteer to cooperate with the city’s flood control initiatives. His development, Monterrazas de Cebu, was even identified as one of the contributors to flooding. Instead of denying the issue, Slater publicly offered to work with the government and experts to find solutions. That spirit of accountability and community cooperation is exactly what we need.
Living in a busy and congested city has its perks—everything is within reach, businesses thrive, and the streets are full of life. But when heavy rain comes, we are all reminded of one big problem: flooding.
For many of us, it’s become normal to wade through knee-deep water during the rainy season. Stagnant water also attracts mosquitoes, produces foul odors, and damages our roads. It doesn’t have to stay this way. With the right plan, we can fix our drainage system and make our community safer and healthier.
The Problem
Our current drainage system is old, undersized, and often clogged with waste. In a congested city, water has nowhere to go when the pipes and canals are blocked. This leads to flooding even after just a short downpour.
The Solution: An Integrated Drainage Project
Here’s a plan we can propose for our barangay and city leaders:
1. Main Drainage Canals
Widening and rehabilitating primary canals to carry rainwater away faster. Covered concrete canals with manholes will make them safer and easier to maintain.
2. Street-Level Gutters and Pipes
Installing proper gutters and underground pipes (RCPs) in our streets, with catch basins that trap silt and garbage before it clogs the system.
3. Household Connections
Allowing homes to connect properly to the drainage system (with filters or grease traps) so wastewater doesn’t cause pollution.
4. Pumping Stations
In low-lying flood-prone areas, sump pits with pumps can push excess water into bigger canals or rivers.
5. Green Solutions
Encouraging households to use rainwater tanks and adopting pocket gardens, permeable pavements, and bioswales to absorb water instead of letting it flood our streets.
🛠️ How It Can Be Done
Survey & Mapping: Identify flood-prone zones and existing clogged drains.
Engineering Study: Compute water flow during heavy rains to size the pipes and canals properly.
Construction Phase: Build main drains first, then connect smaller ones.
Maintenance: Regular declogging and a barangay-led clean-up program.
Cost and Community Role
A drainage project is a big investment, but it’s worth it. A small street network (1 km) may cost around ₱15M–₱20M, while a larger community system could reach ₱100M or more.
But no matter how well it’s built, a drainage system will only work if we, the community, do our part. That means:
Not throwing trash in the canals.
Helping in clean-up drives.
Reporting clogged drains early.
Urban Drainage Project Plan for a Congested City Area
1. Project Title
Integrated Drainage and Flood Control System for [Your City Area]
2. Objectives
-
Reduce flooding in congested streets and residential areas.
-
Improve public health by preventing stagnant water (mosquito breeding, foul odor).
-
Ensure long-term sustainability through low-maintenance and resilient design.
3. Project Components
🔹 A. Primary Drainage Lines (Main Canals)
-
Construct or rehabilitate concrete-lined drainage canals along main roads.
-
Dimensions: 1.5–2.0 meters wide, 1.5 meters deep (adjust depending on area size & runoff volume).
-
Cover canals with reinforced concrete slabs with manholes every 20–30 meters for maintenance.
🔹 B. Secondary Drainage (Street-Level Gutters & Pipes)
-
Install U-shaped roadside gutters (30–40 cm wide).
-
Connect to underground reinforced concrete pipes (RCP), minimum 600mm diameter.
-
Provide catch basins (silt traps) at street corners to prevent clogging.
🔹 C. Tertiary Drainage (Household Connections)
-
Allow households and small businesses to connect their wastewater outlets to secondary drains (with grease traps/septic compliance to prevent clogging and pollution).
🔹 D. Pumping & Outfall System
-
Since the area is congested, natural slope might be limited.
-
Install sump pits with submersible pumps in flood-prone low-lying sections.
-
Direct water to larger canals, rivers, or stormwater retention ponds.
🔹 E. Rainwater Harvesting & Green Solutions
-
Encourage rainwater tanks at household level to reduce runoff load.
-
Integrate pocket parks, bioswales, or permeable pavements in open areas to allow water infiltration.
4. Materials & Construction Methods
-
Reinforced Concrete Pipes (RCPs) – for underground drainage lines.
-
Precast box culverts – for large-volume main canals.
-
Catch basins with silt traps – to filter solid waste.
-
Manholes with steel covers – for access & maintenance.
-
Non-return flap gates – at outfalls to prevent backflow from rivers.
5. Implementation Phases
-
Survey & Mapping
-
Identify flood-prone zones, natural water pathways, and existing clogged drains.
-
-
Design & Engineering Study
-
Compute peak stormwater flow (based on rainfall intensity).
-
Size the pipes and canals accordingly.
-
-
Community Relocation (if needed)
-
Work with LGU for easement clearing in extremely narrow streets.
-
-
Construction Phase
-
Begin with primary drains, then connect secondary and tertiary lines.
-
-
Maintenance Program
-
Quarterly declogging and desilting.
-
Community awareness campaign (no basura in drainage).
-
6. Estimated Costs (very rough guide for barangay-level project)
-
Small street network (1 km of drainage): ₱15M–₱20M
-
Larger community (5–10 km network): ₱80M–₱150M
(Exact cost depends on land conditions, pipe sizes, excavation difficulty, and congestion.)
7. Community Involvement
-
Barangay-led clean & maintain program.
-
Households required to segregate waste to prevent canal clogging.
-
Awareness drive: “Drainage is not basurahan.”
Flooding doesn’t just make us uncomfortable—it affects our health, our livelihood, and our safety. With a well-designed drainage project and the cooperation of everyone, our community can finally say goodbye to knee-deep floods every rainy season.
Like what we’ve seen with Slater Young’s openness to cooperate, it’s clear that solving flooding requires both accountability and teamwork—from the government, private sector, and ordinary citizens. Let’s bring this plan to our barangay and city council. Together, we can build a cleaner, safer, and flood-free Cebu.
Post a Comment