Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways for a consultation with the local government in implementing infrastructure projects.

This comes after massive flooding in some major roads devastated the city.

“We are not saying that we will dictate on what national government or agencies projects to implement and who am I to dictate?” Cortes said.

“We have our existing plans for the city. We have our own City Planning Office and we have our own City Development Council that well represented the different barangays. It is best that there is consultation first prior to implementation,” he added.

He added that if there is consultation before implementation, wastage of government funds will be avoided.

“There is possibility on overlapping project of the city and DPWH and there is difficulty in re-alignment,” said Cortes, adding that there must be prioritization of infrastructure projects done by the DPWH in the city such as drainage problems first and not asphalting.

“I am not saying that asphalting is not important, my suggestion is to prioritize the drainage projects especially, we experienced massive flooding in the city’s major highways and streets last Friday,” Cortes said.

“Drainage repair and rehabilitation should be first. Stop the asphalting because the constant problem is flooding.  What happened last Friday is a wake-up call and we should focus on drainage,” he added.

Cortes added that proper silting of the city’s river should be made as maintenance.

To recall, Mandaue City experienced heavy downpour recently as the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rescued teachers and pupils of Mayor A.S. Fortuna Memorial Elementary School.

The City Social Welfare Services distributed food packs to more than 300 individuals who were affected by the flooding and were temporary sheltered at the Ibabao Estancia Gym and Tipolo Elementary School Gym.