TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking P2.94 billion in funding for the construction of 35 flood control projects in three Eastern Visayas provinces this year.
DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said these projects are highly necessary given the recent massive flooding experienced in the region from late December 2022 to early January this year.
“We are happy that the Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsed these projects to our central office for inclusion in the 2023 funding. These are urgent projects meant to protect lives and properties,” Tabacon said in an interview Monday.
The regional office here is still waiting for feedback from their main office.
These projects are in General MacArthur and Oras in Eastern Samar; Ormoc and Kananga in Leyte; Saint Bernard, Sogod, San Juan, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Sogod, and Hinunangan in Southern Leyte province.
Of the total outlay, P2.59 billion will go to flood-prone areas in Southern Leyte, P200 million in Eastern Samar, and P155 million in Leyte province.
In a resolution approved by the RDC, the council said the additional flood control projects are also found to be aligned with the regional strategies and priorities on infrastructure development based on the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan.
“In addition, majority of the said projects have direct impact on the disadvantaged sectors and areas while two were identified in the Eastern Visayas Typhoon Odette Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan,” the RDC said in its resolution signed on Dec. 19, 2022.
Some of these projects are in areas badly hit by Typhoon ‘Odette’ in December 2021.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
