'One year to stop flooding'

Marcos urged residents to closely monitor the progress of the operations until August next year. "Ang pangako sa atin, one year. So, ang pangako sa akin, 'pagka umulan ulit, hindi na magbabaha," he told Cebu media and local officials led by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

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“Mga nine months na trabaho bago dadating ulit ang ulan. Hopefully by that time, hindi na tayo makakakita ng baha kagaya ng nakita natin noon dahil lahat ng nakaharang at lahat ng barado na labasan ng tubig ay lilinisin. May dadaanan na ang tubig palabas,” he added.

The President stressed the importance of close coordination among national government agencies, local governments, and the private sector for the program’s success.

The initiative was first launched in Metro Manila on November 12. “As I promised when we started the project in Metro Manila, we will not only go to Metro Manila but also to all urban centers and areas that suffered severe flooding during the last rains,” Marcos said.

Oplan Kontra Baha, set to run from November this year to August 2026, involves clearing clogged drainage systems, dredging waterways, removing obstructions, and improving waste management.

In Metro Cebu, the project aims to clean eight priority waterways spanning 161 kilometers, along with 212 kilometers of drainage systems.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will lead the implementation, in coordination with agencies such as the DENR, the DOLE, the DSWD, the DHSUD, the DILG, the NHA, and the Metropolitan Cebu Development and Coordinating Board.

Support will also come from DOH, PCSO, PAGCOR, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, PPA, PCG, MARINA, Navy Engineers, AFP Reservists, PNP Mobile Force, PCG Auxiliary, and the Cebu Provincial Government.