To mitigate flooding
TACLOBAN CITY – With the heavy downpours experienced recently, officials at the second Leyte engineering district (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will prioritize in flood control projects.
In the pipeline for 2017 is a P 61. 8 million worth of flood control projects in major rivers and waterways in Leyte’s second district.
Six major flood control projects are to be started this year, district engineer Carlos Veloso said.
These will include the drainage systems along Socsocon, Arabunog-Sapsap and flood control project Malirong, all in Pastrana town.
These three projects has a combined total budget of P18 million.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Binahaan River along Tingib, Pastrana town is also scheduled this year in the amount of P 25.4 million.
The Malirong River flood control in Guindapuan, also in Pastrana town, gets P 9.5 million while the Anonang River flood control in Barangay Anonang, Burauen town gets P 8.19 million.
Veloso said that these projects are expected to be completed within the year.
Although floods are natural phenomena, human activities and human interventions into the processes of nature, such as alterations in the drainage patterns from urbanization, agricultural practices and deforestation, have considerably changed the situation in whole river basins.
At the same time, exposition to risk and vulnerability in flood-prone area have been growing constantly, it was noted.
Veloso advised that with the infrastructure being put in place to mitigate the hazards of flooding, non-structural measures should likewise be enforced such as strengthening the flood information and warning system, and relocating people living along the river lines.
(AHLETTE C. REYES)
