Courtesy: Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-CCDRRMO
CEBU City declared a state of calamity on Friday, July 18, 2025, in response to widespread flooding caused by intense rainfall from the southwest monsoon (Habagat), intensified by Tropical Cyclone Crising.
The deluge led to significant inundation across numerous communities and created severe traffic congestion. The City Budget Office has confirmed the availability of sufficient funds within the Quick Response Fund to address immediate needs arising from the disaster.
A meeting of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) focused on the July 16th flooding, highlighting the urgent need for improved waterway maintenance.
Discussions centered on the desilting and declogging of waterways, particularly Tejero Creek, a historically flood-prone area. Raquel Arce of the Cebu City Traffic Office detailed the considerable challenges posed by persistent flooding on Bonifacio and Lopez Jaena Streets.
Engineer Lowell Corminal of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) stressed the requirement for an amphibious excavator to efficiently clear waterways, along with an increase in job order (JO) personnel to manage garbage and mud accumulation. Former City Engineering Office chief, Engr. Jose Marie Poblete, emphasized the crucial role of JOs in supporting City Hall’s services.
Mercy Della Ceballos of the City Budget Office assured sufficient funds from the Local Disaster Fund are available for desilting and declogging operations, citing an unobligated balance of ₱197 million.
Mayor Nestor Archival directed the swift hiring of 35 additional job order personnel under the Cebu City Engineering Office to expedite debris removal during these operations. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to desilting, starting from the river mouths and progressing upstream, acknowledging the current equipment limitations.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City DRRMO, highlighted the implementation of the Incident Command System and the ongoing efforts to establish linkages with barangays, with 60 percent of barangays currently connected.
