Mandaue proposes 15 major projects for 2027

Local

THE Mandaue City Government has placed at least 15 major projects worth P3 billion on the table for possible inclusion in the 2027 national budget, following its presentation during a Regional Development Council (RDC) consultation and technical budget review.

City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said the city submitted the proposed projects to ensure that local development priorities are aligned with the national government’s overall agenda. Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano led the city’s delegation.

Mayor Ouano and Mandaue Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lollypop” Ouano-Dizon attended the alignment meeting held at the House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 9.

Malig-on said the RDC meeting brought together highly urbanized cities, members of Congress, and regional directors of national line agencies in Central Visayas to harmonize project proposals ahead of the crafting of the 2027 budget.

He said local government units were asked to present their respective “wishlists” so that priority projects would be clearly identified and backed by their congressional representatives.

“Para dili bitaw makaana nga ‘wala mi kahibaw ani’ or ‘di ni mao among priority’,” Malig-on said.

Among the city’s proposed projects is the completion of the Mandaue City Hospital, a key commitment of the Ouano administration.

Also included are unfunded drainage projects, particularly in Barangay Banilad, along with road and drainage improvements in the commercial area of the North Reclamation Area (NRA).

Malig-on clarified that the proposed P3 billion remains subject to approval, as national line agencies also submitted their own project proposals during the meeting.

He said the city’s proposals will undergo further review after the RDC consultation before they are endorsed to the national government and considered for inclusion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The NEP serves as the executive branch’s proposed budget that will later be submitted to Congress for deliberation and approval, Malig-on added, noting that the

RDC consultation is a key step in that process.

One of the city’s priority infrastructure projects is the construction of a detention pond to help address recurring drainage and flooding problems, particularly in Barangay Looc.

Malig-on said Mayor Ouano is strongly pushing for the project, which is designed to temporarily hold floodwaters in low-lying areas where flooding worsens during high tide while long-term drainage improvements are underway.

“This has not yet been done in the city, but it is one of the strategies being considered to address flooding,” Malig-on said.

He added that the proposed detention pond is expected to complement ongoing drainage improvement initiatives.

The RDC alignment meeting also involved officials from Cebu and Bohol, including Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, and League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu president and Cordova Mayor Didoy Suan, as regional leaders worked to align priorities for the 2027 national budget.(MyTVCebu)