The Mandaue City Government is looking at dredging Tipolo Creek and improving drainage systems as long-term solutions to recurring flooding at Mayor A.S. Fortuna Memorial Elementary School in Barangay Guizo, while temporary measures are being deployed to reduce the impact on students and residents.
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, together with personnel from the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and City Engineering Office, inspected the school on Monday, Aug. 3, following last week’s flooding that left students stranded inside the campus.
“Niari gyud ta, nitan-aw gyud ta sa actual nga sitwasyon,” Ouano said.
The mayor said flooding has affected the area for decades, with the school’s location beside the heavily silted Tipolo Creek making it vulnerable during heavy rains and high tides.
“A few months back, I was already informed by the previous principal that this school is flood-prone,” he said.
Ouano said the city had already allocated P2.7 million for a drainage improvement project, but the original design is being revised after engineers found that the proposed drainage route through the center of the school could affect future development plans.
School principal Karem Bolok said the initial plan was to place the drainage line at the middle of the campus, but this was changed after considering the school’s future construction projects.
“Ang una nga plan is sa center sa school muagi but na-realize nga maka-add og gymnasium sa school and maguba man, maong adto na lang sa gawas ipaagi,” Bolok said.
Ouano identified the narrowing of Tipolo Creek as one of the major causes of flooding in the area.
He said a portion of the creek that previously had an opening of around five to six meters has been reduced to about half a meter due to structures and other obstructions along the waterway.
“Kato ang pinaka-worst didto kay instead of five meters ang opening, half a meter na lang ang agianan sa tubig, so wa na gyud toy gamit didto dapita,” he said.
Because of the condition of the waterway, Ouano said dredging would be necessary to restore water flow. However, he acknowledged that the project would require time, resources, and possible assistance from the national government.
“Magpatabang ta sa national government. Naa man sad budget ang city pero dili ni siya madali. Kinahanglan gyud ta og dredging,” he said.
Ouano said he plans to seek assistance from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, particularly for heavy equipment that could be used in dredging operations.
While awaiting a permanent solution, the city government has started implementing temporary measures, including the installation of a water pump at the school, placement of PVC pipes connecting the campus to the creek, and continued declogging operations.
However, Ouano said the pump would only provide limited relief, particularly during high tide when backflow remains a problem.
“Ang atong temporary solution naa ni atong pump karon ibutang ni didto sa atubangan. Mu-pump ang tubig diri pero kung high tide, walay kagawasan ang tubig, mu-backflow gihapon siya,” he said.
The city is also coordinating with residents living along the creek to clear blocked waterways beneath portions of their homes that have affected water flow.
Ouano estimated that around 30 to 50 houses are located along the affected section of the creek.
“Muhangyo ta nila nga magtinabangay. This is a shared responsibility nga manglimpyo sad sila. Atong buhaton karon matagaan lang og temporary solution while we work on the permanent solution aning problema diri sa Mayor A.S. Fortuna Elementary School,” he said.
He said some structures beneath houses may need to be opened to allow water to pass through but assured residents that the effort would focus only on restoring the waterway.
Residents expressed support for the city’s planned intervention.
“Uyon ra mi kay palawman raman nila ang sapa,” said Gilda Arong, who has lived in the area since 2002.
Another resident, Rubi Lintag, said flooding has long affected the community.
“Sauna pa man ni,” Lintag said.
Ouano also urged barangay officials and residents to continue cleanup and declogging efforts while the city works on larger flood mitigation measures.
He said resolving flooding problems across Mandaue would require long-term planning and coordination but assured residents that the city government would continue pursuing permanent solutions.
The inspection followed the flooding incident on July 30, when several students were stranded at Mayor A.S. Fortuna Memorial Elementary School after floodwaters rose inside the campus. CDRRMO personnel, with assistance from the Guizo Barangay Emergency Response Team, evacuated the students using rubber boats.
The school also implemented an early dismissal on July 31 after another round of heavy rainfall caused flooding in the area.
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