Council tackles solutions to Cebu flooding

Local

SCIENCE-based, nature-driven solutions must form the backbone of Cebu’s flood control strategy if the province is to reduce recurring flood risks, citizen groups told the flood mitigation council during a meeting on Friday, Dec. 19.

In a presentation to the council, the groups emphasized that flooding in Cebu is a watershed-wide problem that must be addressed “from the mountains to the sea,” citing scientific evidence that upland degradation, river obstruction, and coastal stress collectively worsen flooding in low-lying communities.

The advocates highlighted practical, immediately deployable measures anchored on ecosystem restoration and verified data.

Among the key proposals are the use of giant bamboo and similar natural vegetation for riverbank stabilization and erosion control, the rehabilitation and protection of rivers and esteros, and the preservation of riparian buffer zones to slow runoff and reduce flood surges.

They stressed that nature-based solutions are cost-effective and scientifically grounded, and are intended to complement—not replace—engineering interventions such as drainage improvements and flood-control structures.

To support evidence-based planning, the groups reported conducting ground inspections and river walks, supported by aerial documentation from the Cebu Drone Society and volunteer teams.

Drone footage and photographs taken from upland areas down to urban waterways were presented to show how deforestation, slope cutting, and unregulated development accelerate water flow toward the city during heavy rains.

The advocates said focusing on drainage alone fails to address the root causes of flooding, noting that degraded watersheds and narrowed waterways significantly reduce the land’s natural capacity to absorb and slow rainwater.

Ongoing efforts cited during the meeting include the clearing and maintenance of rivers, esteros, and drainage systems; enforcement against illegal dumping and obstructions; and river and coastal rehabilitation initiatives supported by government, private sector groups, and community volunteers.

The groups also expressed support for calls to temporarily restrict development in identified high-risk areas to allow science-led assessment and planning, emphasizing that such measures are aimed at risk reduction rather than halting economic activity.

They further stressed the need to align flood mitigation strategies with land-use planning, particularly through the review of the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, to ensure that future development does not worsen flood vulnerability.

Citizen advocates said a science-based, integrated approach, combining nature-based solutions, sound engineering, and responsible land-use planning, is critical to building a flood-resilient Cebu and protecting lives and property from increasingly severe flooding events.(TGP)