CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has greenlit the construction of two gabion dams in Barangay Pulangbato, marking a decisive step in the city’s flood mitigation strategy and its broader commitment to environmental resilience.
This project, backed by ?60 million in city funds, is part of a multi-sectoral push to safeguard shared waterways—particularly Mahiga Creek and Butuanon River—which traverse both Cebu City and adjacent Mandaue City.
“Mag-install lang ‘ta duha and, if makita nga maayo g’yud siya, ato g’yud siya dugangan,” Mayor Archival said, through the City’s PIO, emphasizing a phased approach that prioritizes impact assessment and scalability.
According to an online source, a gabion dam is a flexible and permeable barrier made of wire mesh baskets filled with rocks, stones, or other locally available materials, used for water flow management.
The proposed dams will be built at the uppermost portions of the Mahiga Creek to slow down water flow during heavy rains, reducing the risk of downstream flooding in vulnerable communities.
This matter was discussed during a technical dialogue with the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), following the presentation of updated river boundary maps and flood risk assessments.
Environmental Management Specialist, Engr. Myka Marie Llanos, also talked about the “Beyond Borders” transboundary river rehabilitation program, a joint effort between Cebu City and Mandaue City scheduled for September 16–17.
“Ang Mahiga ug Butuanon River gi-share mana sa Mandaue City ug Cebu City mao na naa g’yud ta’y partnership,” Llanos explained. “Ang tubig gikan man ‘nato padung sa Mandaue nga naa ta’y baha.”
The shared nature of these rivers underscores the need for coordinated interventions, with Cebu City committing not only to infrastructure but also to long-term ecological stewardship.
Mayor Archival’s support for the gabion dams complements his broader environmental agenda, which includes desilting, dredging, and the installation of water catchment systems.
His flagship 256K trees project—aiming to plant 256,000 trees during his term—also continues to gain momentum, with recent coconut and fruit-bearing tree planting activities held in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority and Toyota Mabolo.
The mayor also reaffirmed his commitment to community-based waste management, solidifying plans for a Material Recovery Facility in Barangay Inayawan and calling for the reactivation of the Solid Waste Management Board to ensure policy coherence across barangays.
As Cebu City braces for the challenges of climate change and urban flooding, the construction of gabion dams signals a shift toward nature-based solutions that balance engineering with ecological integrity.
Mayor Archival’s commitment to environmental protection was further underscored during a dialogue with DENR Climate Change Service Director Elenida Basug and Pagtambayayong: A Foundation of Mutual Aid, Inc., where he outlined complementary flood mitigation efforts, including desilting, dredging, and the installation of water catchment systems.
The mayor’s environmental agenda extends beyond flood control. Last September 10, he also met with representatives from the EcoWaste Coalition under the PHINLA Project, and Inayawan Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Repollo to discuss strengthening community-based solid waste management.
The meeting, held at Citadines Hotel, focused on improving the implementation of Republic Act 9003 (Act Providing for an Ecological Solid Waste Management Program), with emphasis on waste segregation at source.
Mayor Archival had announced plans to establish a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and implement composting in Barangay Inayawan. He also called for the reconvening of the Cebu City Solid Waste Management Board to ensure inter-agency coordination.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol /Photo by Iris Hazel Mascardo
