The City Government of Davao has taken a significant step in its battle against urban flooding with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art heavy-duty vacuum jetting truck. The new equipment, which arrived on Monday, January 5, 2026, is set to revolutionize how the city clears its clogged drainage canals and mitigates street flooding during heavy rains.
A Powerful Solution for Hardened Sludge
Paul Bermejo, the head of the City's Ancillary Services Unit (ASU), hailed the truck as a major asset. He explained that traditional manual rodding methods have become insufficient, especially when dealing with hardened sludge and compacted debris within the drainage system. The new jetting truck combines high-pressure water spraying with a powerful vacuum suction mechanism. This allows crews to first soften the hardened waste with water and then immediately suction it out, a process far more efficient and effective than manual labor.
"This is a very big help to the city," Bermejo stated, highlighting the limitations of manual work. "If we do it manually, there's a possibility that the clog won't be fully resolved. But with the vacuum jetting truck, it becomes easy." The equipment is expected to significantly reduce the physical burden on ASU personnel while improving operational outcomes.
Response to Resident Concerns and Past Performance
The decision to procure the specialized vehicle was driven by an increase in complaints from Dabawenyos regarding frequent street flooding after intense rainfall. The purchase fulfills a plan announced by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in 2025 to upgrade its flood mitigation toolkit.
Back in July 2025, ASU drainage team lead Engineer Japheth Caballero had expressed optimism about the planned acquisition, noting it would greatly improve the removal of hardened mud, silt, and debris. The need for such equipment is underscored by ASU's extensive cleanup records. As of June 2025, the unit had already collected 148 truckloads of trash and silt from across Davao City. In that month alone, ASU teams conducted 42 operations and successfully cleared 4,970 linear meters of canals.
Future Plans for Drainage Management
Looking ahead, city engineers hope to further expand ASU's inventory of equipment to build a more resilient flood response system. Caballero has previously mentioned aspirations to acquire additional assets such as backhoes, more jetting trucks, and extra dump trucks. These additions would streamline operations and enhance the city's capacity to manage its drainage infrastructure proactively, aiming to provide long-term relief to residents affected by seasonal flooding.
