P300M flood control project in Palo underway

PALO, Leyte – Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla of this town has announced that with the completion of a flood control project, no flooding incident similar to what happened last year would happen again in her town.

The flood control project is largely funded by the national government at a cost of P237 million with the provincial government providing an additional fund of P25 million.

Last year, Palo has experienced a massive flooding incident that reached as high as four meters deep with several affected families along the Bangon River, considered to be the town’s major waterway.

The flood control project, stretching two kilometers, would benefit the barangays of Libertad, Arado, Buri, Luntad, Caluogan, Guindapunan, Saint Michael, Salvacion and Baras.

“These are flood-prone areas. With the completion of the flood control project, the residents along these areas (would now be safe) from flooding,” Petilla said.

Petilla conducted yesterday an inspection on the progress of the flood control project.

The mayor said that the project is expected to be finish by next year.

She said that she is thankful to President Aquino for providing the much-needed fund for the project to be realized.

“Actually, based on the assessment of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the entire project would cost around P500 million. But the President has only provided us P237 million with the governor providing us an additional P25 million,” Petilla said.

Based on the design, the flood control project can withstand a four meter deep flooding. The Bangon River will also be dredged to ensure that water will continue to flow uninterrupted.

Last March 17, 2011, Palo suffered a devastating flooding incident dislocating thousands of its residents spawned by torrential heavy rains.

But with the completion of the flood control project, similar incident would now be avoided by the residents especially those located along the Bangon River.

Barangay chair Andres Ian Sevilla of Luntad said that they are happy that the flood control project is now for real.

“There were several similar projects in the past. But all these projects failed. We are happy that finally we have this project which will really help our problem on flooding,” Sevilla said.

According to him, last year’s flooding incident has affected their village with the Bangon River which is located just adjacent to their village, reached to four meter.(JOEY A. GABIETA & REYAN L. ARINTO)

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Posted by lsde on Sep 18 2012. Filed under Second Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.