Cebu City sets P6.5M for flood boats, rescue cameras, lifting bags

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City will spend P6.543 million on additional rescue equipment, including flood boats, search-and-rescue cameras and lifting bags, to strengthen its emergency response capacity amid recurring flooding.

The Cebu City Council approved the allocation during its regular session this week, adopting the recommendation of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) to charge the amount against the city’s 2026 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF).

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the council’s committees on budget and finance and disaster risk reduction and management, moved for the approval of the resolution.

The CCDRRMC earlier approved a resolution on June 10, recommending the P6.543-million allocation for the purchase of the equipment.

The resolution cited the need to strengthen the city’s operational readiness, improve rescue operations, and protect responders and residents during emergencies and disasters.

The allocation covers three types of equipment: rescue flood boats; search-and-rescue cameras; and lifting bags. The resolution did not specify the number of units or the individual cost of each item.

Flood response

The planned procurement follows another widespread flooding incident in Cebu City on July 30, when nearly four hours of heavy rain submerged roads, stranded commuters, and prompted emergency rescues in at least 16 areas.

In La Paloma Village in Barangay Tisa, floodwaters reportedly rose to about three meters, trapping residents inside the subdivision.

The CCDRRMO Special Rescue Squad, together with the Tisa Fire Brigade, Barangay Quick Response Team Habagat, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, rescued three residents — a 74-year-old man, a 63-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman.

Rescuers encountered strong currents and debris, including logs, furniture, roofing sheets and electric bicycles, while reaching the flooded portion of the subdivision.

The city reported no fatalities or injuries from the incident.

In Sitio Dakit in Barangay Guadalupe, residents also sought evacuation as floodwaters reportedly reached the height of a basketball ring, preventing vehicles from entering the area.

Flooding also affected portions of Tisa, Labangon, Punta, Tinago, Kinasang-an, Basak Pardo and other communities.

The Cebu City Transportation Office reported flooding along several major roads, disrupting traffic during the afternoon rush hour.

Equipment for emergencies

The new allocation targets the city’s response capabilities rather than flood-control infrastructure.

Flood boats could support rescue operations in communities where rising water prevents conventional vehicles from entering. Search-and-rescue cameras could assist responders in locating or monitoring people in hazardous or difficult-to-access areas, while lifting bags could help responders move heavy objects during rescue operations.

The resolution said the procurement would “strengthen operational readiness, enhance the efficiency of rescue operations, and safeguard the welfare of responders and affected residents.”

The city has also monitored water levels in several rivers and creeks during heavy rains, including Mahiga, Parian, Kinalumsan, Tagunol, Guadalupe, Bulacao, Tejero-Tinago, Lahug and Butuanon.

During the July 30 flooding, Tagunol River recorded the highest monitored water level at about four meters, while Mahiga River reached about 2.5 meters and Tejero-Tinago about two meters.

In August 2025, the city had set aside P15 million from its Quick Response Fund for urgent river desilting and dredging works at the time.

That allocation addressed flood mitigation, while the latest P6.543-million fund specifically targets rescue equipment.

Procurement still ahead

The approval authorizes the charging of P6.543 million under the 2026 LDRRMF account for Disaster Response and Rescue Equipment.

The equipment will still have to go through the required government procurement process before the city can deploy them in actual rescue operations.

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