MAASIN CITY,
Southern Leyte, June 23 (PNA) -– The Department of Public Works and Highways
Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) is stepping up
preparations for the rainy season, especially that many areas in the province
have been tagged as vulnerable to rockslides, landslides, and flooding.
On top of
regular flood control projects, the DPWH-SLDEO has been cleaning up drainage
system and desilt rivers and other waterways to prevent flood water surge.
“This is our
regular activity, but we have intensified this in the past few weeks in
anticipation of La Niña that will likely hit many parts of our country in the
second half of this year,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.
For 2016,
the DPWH has set aside PHP50 million for slope protection in landslide-prone
road sections, PHP20 million for drainage rehabilitation, and PHP27 million
construction of flood control system in Maasin City.
The DPWH
field office has also identified specific areas from Sogod town to San Ricardo
town where they will preposition heavy equipment for road clearing in the event
of rainfall-induced landslides and rockslides.
These road
sections are vital link from Luzon to Mindanao as part of the nautical highway’s
eastern seaboard route.
With the
onset of rainy season, the SLDEO reiterated its PHP109 million budget proposal
to pilot a project that would completely prevent rock falls and soil erosion,
utilizing Swiss technology.
The province
would be the first in Eastern Visayas to pilot road slope stabilization control
system developed by Swiss firm, Geobrugg.
Junia said
they are proposing to pilot a section in Barangay Kahupian in Sogod town for
the stabilization control project in the most critical section, which has an
ascending roadway and multiple blind curves.
The
technology, according to Junia, has been used as permanent solution to
geohazards in other parts of the country under the Technical Cooperation
Projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
JMC/SQM/PR/EGR
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