Clearing operations in Mandaue City continue to make significant progress as municipal teams and private volunteers work together to restore accessibility in areas affected by recent flooding. According to City Administrator Gonzalo "Sally" Malig-on, the effort has now expanded to include four dedicated teams focusing on interior neighborhoods.
From Two to Four Teams: Scaling Up Operations
During the initial two days of response, only two teams from the City Engineering Office and Department of General Services (DGS) were available for clearing work. However, the situation improved dramatically when two private groups volunteered their assistance, effectively doubling the workforce to four teams by the third and fourth days of operations.
"So far, during the first two days, it was only the City Engineering and DGS teams working on clearing," Malig-on explained. "But after the third and fourth day, two private groups joined in to help. Now, we already have four groups working together."
Challenges in Interior Areas and Barangay Response
While major roads have been successfully cleared, the teams now face new challenges as they move into interior residential areas. Narrow streets and fenced properties have complicated the use of heavy equipment needed for efficient debris removal.
"We've already completed the major roads and we're now inside the interior areas," Malig-on stated. "But the problem is that some roads are too narrow for our equipment, and in some cases, fences block the way. Those are some of the issues we're dealing with."
The city received specific complaints from residents in Barangays Umapad and Paknaan, prompting Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano to personally visit the affected sites. This direct engagement led to prioritized clearing along UN Avenue and A.C. Cortes Avenue leading to Uratex, which was completed within just two days.
Equipment Deployment and Ongoing Programs
The clearing effort has involved strategic equipment placement throughout the city. A long backhoe deployed at Tingub Bridge to address river debris was later withdrawn when it could no longer reach deeper sections of the river. This equipment will now be transferred to Canduman Bridge to continue operations there.
The city's cash-for-work program remains active to help residents recover from the disaster's impact. Following meetings with barangay captains, the program will focus on three specific barangays: Paknaan, Umapad, and Alang-Alang, where cleanup activities will continue on Wednesday, November 12.
"The cash-for-work program will still push through," Malig-on confirmed. "Initially, we had planned to include five barangays, but since the situation in some areas has improved, we'll now focus on three."
City officials expressed gratitude for the private sector's contribution, noting that their payloaders and dump trucks significantly enhanced the city's capacity to respond more quickly to the emergency situation.
Malig-on assured residents that operations will continue until all affected areas, including the challenging interior sections, are fully cleared and accessible to the public.
