The city governments of Cebu and Mandaue are joining forces to combat a shared threat, launching a significant flood control project that involves building a large canal or culvert. This critical infrastructure is designed to direct water from upland barangays in Cebu City toward the Butuanon and Mahiga Rivers in Mandaue.
A Partnership Forged for Flood Mitigation
This initiative is a direct result of a joint commitment signed by the two LGUs in September 2025, known as Beyond Borders 4.0. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that the project is actively underway, though work was briefly interrupted by Typhoon Tino. Construction has since resumed as both cities prioritize completing this essential drainage system to safeguard their communities from recurring inundation.
Mayor Archival detailed the water flow during a press conference on Monday, November 10, 2025. He explained that runoff from the Maria Luisa Subdivision in Banilad, Doña Rita Subdivision, and San Carlos in Talamban flows down to Santo Niño Village and Rolling Hills in Mandaue. "Mandaue is now constructing a large canal or culvert from Santo Niño toward the river so that the water from our side can flow directly out," he stated.
Beyond the Canal: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The collaboration extends beyond concrete and earthworks. As part of the agreement, Mandaue City will install an early warning system for Cebu City communities located near flood-prone zones. Mayor Archival noted that while Cebu City will handle the monitoring, the equipment provision by Mandaue signifies a deep level of inter-city cooperation.
This canal project is the first major development to emerge from the September pact, marking a pivotal step toward long-term flood mitigation in Metro Cebu. The Beyond Borders initiative, originally launched four years prior, unites local governments, national agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to devise sustainable solutions for the region's complex drainage challenges.
Archival emphasized Cebu City's upstream position, acknowledging its crucial role in reducing the flooding that impacts downstream neighbor Mandaue City. The comprehensive strategy includes several other measures:
- Installation of catchment systems and gabion dams.
- Improvements to river channels for better water flow regulation.
- Planned river clean-up drives to reduce siltation and garbage buildup once weather conditions improve.
"Hopefully, if fewer families live beside the rivers and if we maintain proper drainage, we can minimize the garbage and debris flowing downstream to Mandaue," Archival added. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to create an integrated flood management system for the vital Butuanon and Mahiga Rivers, which serve as the primary drainage channels for both urban centers.
