Marcos plans 70-meter dam along Cebu's Mananga River to address flooding

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government is planning to build a 70-meter dam along Mananga River in Cebu to help mitigate flooding in nearby areas.

The President said this following his inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Mananga River Flood Mitigation Structure in Talisay City.

“I think it's an opportune time also na mabanggit na ‘yung mga dam projects. Kung maalala ninyo, tatlo ang malaking ilog dito sa Cebu. At kaya’t ‘yung ‘pag bumababa ang tubig, doon galing ang baha, doon sa malalaking tatlong ilog na ‘yun,” Marcos said in an interview.

(I think it's an opportune time also to mention the dam projects. If you remember, there are three big rivers here in Cebu. And that's why when there’s flooding, the water would come from those three big rivers.)

“Meron na tayong plano para maglagay ng dam sa taas, dito sa Mananga River. It’s a 70-meter dam,” he added.

(We already have a plan to put a dam above, here in the Mananga River. It's a 70-meter dam.)

Marcos said that the budget for the proposed dam will be included in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“Naka-budget na at titiyakin natin na hindi magagalaw ‘yung budget na ‘yun pagdaan sa budget process,” he assured.

(It already has a budget and we will make sure that the budget will not be touched during the budget process.)

In November last year, the Mananga River overflowed when Typhoon Tino hit Visayas, forcing residents to evacuate.

In Cebu, Marcos likewise inspected the 4.55-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) Segment 3A in Naga City, which is expected to reduce travel time from Barangay Pangdan to the Naga Valley Industrial Park from 25 minutes to 10 minutes.

The President also led the launch of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen in Cebu City.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen is a community service hub that seeks to address the needs of homeless individuals and those experiencing involuntary hunger by providing them free, nutritious breakfast and lunch daily. —LDF, GMA News