Workers and excavators are actively continuing riprap construction along the Mananga River in Isla Verde, Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, as part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts. This progress was observed during an inspection on March 25, 2026, by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro, and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr. The project aims to enhance flood resilience and environmental protection in the region.
Eco-Park Proposal as a Long-Term Solution
A proposed eco-park along the cleared banks of the Mananga River is being considered as a strategic long-term safeguard against flooding and renewed encroachment. As rehabilitation work surpasses the halfway mark, this initiative seeks to balance public use with environmental conservation. Secretary Dizon emphasized that the project near Mananga Bridge 3 remains on track for completion before June, with dredging and widening efforts currently at 50 percent completion. These measures are designed to improve water flow and mitigate flood risks in low-lying communities ahead of the impending rainy season.
Addressing Past Damage and Future Risks
The rehabilitation project was initiated in response to the severe damage caused by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025. It focuses on restoring the river's original width and clearing structures built within designated danger zones. Dizon stated that areas along the riverbanks where houses were removed will be declared no-build zones. To prevent informal settlers from returning, the Talisay City Government is exploring the conversion of these cleared areas into an eco-park. Mayor Gullas noted that the local government unit has allocated funds for developing public spaces, including parks and bike lanes, along portions of the riverbanks, with implementation planned gradually across barangays to avoid straining city resources.
Broader Infrastructure and Funding Initiatives
According to Dizon, the rehabilitation efforts involve a collaboration between the DPWH, which deployed heavy equipment, and a private contractor handling flood-control repairs. He clarified that the DPWH has not incurred direct costs for this project. Additionally, a detention basin is being planned near a residential subdivision at the mouth of the Mananga River, an area that experienced significant flooding during Typhoon Tino. Dizon also announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved P4 billion for reconstruction efforts in Cebu following recent disasters, including a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30 and Typhoon Tino. This funding, spread across the 2026 and 2027 budgets, will cover repairs to schools, roads, bridges, public buildings, and damaged flood-control structures, as well as feasibility studies for major river basin systems, including the Mananga River Basin.
