Southern Leyte needs PhP425.6-M to prevent landslides, falling rocks along national roads

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 29 (PNA) – The government needs PhP425.6 million to completely solve the perennial problem of landslides and falling rocks in some portion of the national highway in Sogod town.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia said they are eyeing to utilize the design and fabrication of protection systems using high-tensile steel wire mesh and netting. Geobrugg, a firm based in Switzerland, developed the technology.

“The proposed solution is already proven because this has been applied to address geohazards in other parts of the country under the Technical Cooperation Projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency,” Junia told PNA.

Once realized, the field office would be the first district office in Eastern Visayas to pilot road slope stabilization control system.

The DPWH is proposing to pilot a section in Kahupian village in Sogod town for the stabilization control project in the most critical section, which has an ascending roadway and multiple blind curves.

The installation of the stabilization control system will cover 30,400 square meters area in Sogod town.

According to Junia, the vulnerability of the area to falling rocks and landslides justifies the application of this technology.

The Swiss technology provides highly sustainable solutions for securing unstable slopes or for strengthening existing retaining structures, shotcrete walls, and other conventional materials.

It also secures loose rocks, blocky rocks, rock spurs, overhangs or unstable rock formations with highly irregular surface structures.

Included in the project is the installation of erosion control mat with a three dimensional structure for successful revegetation.

For the pilot site, the budgetary requirement is PhP111.5 million. (PNA)
SCS/SQM/QUIRICO M. GORPIDO JR.