THE Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) 10 Cagayan de Oro City first engineering district led by the hardworking district engineer Ana Lee Manzano held their mandated annual town hall this morning (August 20) and already yielded initial results.
During the gathering held at the main Balulang covered court, DPWH was able to gather residents from the most concerned barangays in the first district as well as developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. to discuss, among others, mitigating the flood problem in uptown Cagayan de Oro.
DPWH 10 assistant director Sabeniano Caliao Jr. pointed out that the cause of the flood problem in Balulang is the already lack of trees that would catch rainwater in the area due to urbanization.
Caliao said floodwaters would trickle down both the commercial and residential portions of uptown CDO down to the areas below such as Balulang and Macanhan before winding at the Cagayan river.
He said that DPWH already has a plan to direct the waters in a wide box culvert but here the problem lies – they had a hard time convincing the developer to allow the drain to pass on their spacious property.
Although Caliao did not name the company, Balulang barangay chairman Edwin Micabani minced no words in identifying Cebu Landmasters, Inc. as the real estate firm in question.
The said company is currently developing a mixed use 14.3 hectare township in the area that would occupy a huge chunk of upper Balulang.
“Sad to say, moingon ko sa inyoha, i-recall nako tanan natong mga permit. Ako na trabaho along with the barangay council,” Micabani told the Cebu Landmasters, Inc. representatives present during the meeting.
Micabani was referring to the barangay resolution interposing no objection to the construction of an internal drainage system within the township.
He said that the plan did not align with the intent of DPWH for the main drain to pass through its property before ending at Cagayan river below.
Most of the Balulang barangay kagawads were present in the town hall and expressed their support to the nationally-awarded barangay official.
Micabani said that the design of the mixed-use space – now named as Manresa Town – needs to conform to the plans of DPWH because it is for the benefit of the whole community.
At this point, Manresa Town project manager Engr. Nestor Lorenzo Cubillo vowed to immediately meet with Micabani and the barangay council to discuss the matter so both their project and the government flood control mitigation would coincide.
“Manghinaot mi nga the soonest possible time, mag-sit down ta balik, do a collaborative meeting and assess the situation,” Cubillo said.
The town hall was held in line with President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda, which promotes transparent, accountable and participatory governance.
Through initiatives like this, the administration seeks to strengthen public trust and ensure that communities are informed and involved in government programs. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY 10
