The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has facilitated the turnover of 30 intermediate bulk container (IBC) tanks from Carmen Copper Corporation to the Mandaue City Local Government Unit, marking a significant step toward strengthening community-level water resilience.
Designed as rainwater catchment systems, the IBC tanks will be distributed across the city’s 27 barangays to enhance water capture, retention, and collection. The initiative supports efforts to reduce surface runoff during heavy rainfall, promote water reuse for community purposes, and advance decentralized flood management at the barangay level.
The turnover ceremony was attended by Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano, Mayor of Mandaue City, who expressed appreciation for the initiative and underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing local environmental challenges.
Also present were Barbara Gothong-Tan, President of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Regan Rex King, President of CCCI; and Jay Yuvallos, Immediate Past President, CCCI; Mandaue City Councilor, Atty. Joel Seno; City Administrator, Atty. Sally Malig-on and ABC President, Barangay Captain Dante Borbajo.
The initiative comes at a critical time as the El Niño phenomenon is expected to bring prolonged dry spells and intensify pressure on already constrained water resources across the Philippines. These dry periods are often preceded or interrupted by episodes of heavy rainfall, highlighting the urgent need for systems that can both capture excess water and store it for future use.
By deploying rainwater catchment systems at the barangay level, the project addresses this dual challenge: mitigating flood risks during periods of intense rainfall while creating supplemental water sources during dry spells. This localized approach strengthens community self-sufficiency and helps ease demand on centralized water systems, which are frequently strained during climate extremes.
This initiative is aligned with the broader Cebu Flood Hero Movement, a multi-sectoral effort that promotes proactive, community-driven responses to flooding and water management challenges across Cebu. The movement advances practical and scalable interventions: such as rainwater harvesting, improved drainage practices, and community preparedness, that collectively build long-term urban resilience.
The turnover of IBC tanks demonstrates this approach in action, equipping barangays with accessible tools to better manage water resources while fostering a culture of shared responsibility in addressing climate risks.
The project underscores the shared commitment of the private sector and local government to build safer, more adaptive communities in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
