Cebu City declares state of calamity after floods; P15M fund allocated

Cebu City declared a state of calamity on Tuesday, July 22, following severe flooding last week caused by Severe Tropical Storm Crising (Wipha).

Over 200 individuals were evacuated due to the floods, and Mayor Nestor Archival requested the declaration from the city council.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has conducted several rescue operations and is now focusing on desilting rivers and unclogging major waterways with a quick response fund of P61 million, but only P15 million will be used initially for these efforts.

Mayor Archival directed the flood management council to fast-track declogging efforts in areas such as Estero de Parian and M.J. Cuenco Avenue, while also reviewing the city's 7-year-old drainage master plan due to improper waste management exacerbating flooding conditions.

Lapu-Lapu City is preparing its island barangays for Tropical Depression Dante, which could enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, potentially causing strong waves and further disruptions.