Cebu City’s growth linked to flooding

He further stated that this is crucial for barangays, which often request developments such as basketball courts rather than focusing on water management. As stipulated by law, Jaca cited that a minimum of 150 liters per person must be stored per day.

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URBAN PLANNING MAY HAVE FAILED

In line with this, Jaca concluded that urban planning in Metro Cebu may have failed, while water management, including flood mitigation measures, is often overlooked.

“Wa gyuy proper planning,” said Jaca, adding that among the primary factors behind this is rapid urbanization.

“Kung akoy pangutan-on, nilapas na gyud tas threshold,” he added.

Jaca, a longtime resident of Cebu City, said that when he was young, he would often hike to the mountains and saw fewer city lights compared to the present. He noted that no green space is visible anymore.

While development is an inevitable aspect of a city, Jaca said that it can be implemented with proper distribution and urban planning. According to him, this includes considerations for agriculture, among other factors. He added that proper implementation has been lacking because urban planning has been underappreciated.

Jaca, a frequent traveler, often observes a huge gap in urban planning between other countries and Cebu City. He said one key difference is the balance between development and green areas.

Although he is a contractor himself, Jaca said that some developers have been “greedy,” adding that they often “cheat” on the 30 percent requirement for green or open spaces.