DPWH completes flood control structure in Leyte

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday announced that it has completed the construction of a flood control structure located in Alangalang, Leyte, saying that the new structure aims to protect residents of the municipality from flooding.

In a statement, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said that since the municipality has a high susceptibility to flooding, the five-meter-high flood control wall was built to protect lives and properties by containing the waters which may rise to minimal levels during extreme weather events.

To recall, a number of families from Barangay Salvacion and neighboring barangays in Alangalang in 2018 had to be evacuated following the heavy flooding in eight towns in Leyte province triggered by tropical depression Agaton.

A total of P40.95 million was allocated under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the construction of the new 168-meter riprap and revetment wall in Barangay Salvacion.

The DPWH chief also announced that a remote village in Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte with about 900 residents are expected to benefit from the newly completed 3.2-kilometer new concrete road.

“The new Junction National Highway to Kulambugan Road is part of the government’s effort to provide services and curb poverty among residents of Barangay Nonoyan who were formerly displaced from the area due to peace and order issues,” said Villar.

The P50-million concrete road project including the construction of two new spillways was funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process under its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

With the newly completed road, residents will no longer have to travel for 40 minutes along the muddy trail as motorcycles may now pass through Sitio Kulambogan going to the national highway within six minutes.