Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado along with Construction Division chief, Engr. Elsie V. Sabay and District Engineer Haydee S. Alunan of DPWH-Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office inspected the ongoing construction of flood control structure along Sipalay River in Sipalay City.
Delfinado said the P100-million project funded by the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA), involves construction of additional 693-lineal meter revetment with a combination of rubble concrete and reinforced concrete pavement wall with steel sheet pile foundation, including drainage and slope protection.
“This flood control project along the whole stretch of Sipalay River Basin is a 3-phase project started in 2018; phase 1 amounting to P213.3 million and phase 2 in the amount of P100 million are already completed, while phase 3 is expected to be completed in March next year given favorable weather condition, with roughly 50 percent accomplishment as of to date,” Delfinado said.
“This is one of the significant projects implemented by DPWH in this part of the province, which aims to prevent possible destruction caused by massive flood especially when heavy rains occur,” she added.
“This project is in line with one of the Department’s organization strategic outcomes, that is to protect the lives and properties against natural disasters through building disaster-resilient infrastructures to the identified danger prone areas during occurrence of calamities and disasters.”
Engr. Alunan said the project will benefit approximately 5 barangays located near the river, with a total of roughly 4,000 households.
“Crop losses and property damages will be prevented and water overflow as well as soil erosion will be mitigated with the presence if this revetment structure,” Alunan said.
“This flood control structure will also provide the people an opportunity to improve their physical environment and adopt agricultural practices for their livelihood, hence would help improve their economic condition.”
Meantime, Delfinado also inspected the ongoing construction of the P36-million Regional Evacuation Center in Kabankalan City.
The evacuation center will be used as temporary shelter of the people in times of calamities and disasters or venue for various conferences and meetings, is composed of eight buildings, namely: Accommodation building, Office and infirmary building, Laundry/drying area, Male toilet and bath, Female toilet and bath, Pump room, Generator room, and Materials recovery facility. Also, part of the project is the provision of cistern tank and drainage system.
Delfinado said the center is designed to be disaster resilient, gender sensitive and compliant to the standard Regional Evacuation Center to enhance response capabilities of the communities in times of disasters and emergencies. (DPWHR6/RPAIO)
