• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A flood control structure in Bacolod City, and two road widening projects in Negros Occidental, worth more than P68 million, have been completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways said May 18.
The completion of a flood mitigation project along Bakyas Creek in Bacolod, undertaken by the DPWH Bacolod City District Engineering Office (DEO), was aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and protecting communities in barangays Alijis and Taculing.
Strategically located adjacent to Santuario de Bacolod Memorial Park and serving as a crucial flood control and slope protection structure, the project spanned 1,194.4 meters, and constructed with a 0.3-meter-thick rubble concrete wall and weepholes every two meters for efficient drainage, to prevent overflow during heavy rainfall and reduce riverbank erosion.
“This project not only shields Bacolod’s vulnerable areas from extreme weather events but also strengthens the safety of public and private properties, including the Santuario de Bacolod Memorial Park,” DPWH Region 6 director Sanny Boy Oropel said in a statement, adding the structure strengthens riverbank stability and minimizes flood risks.
The DPWH Negros Occidental 3rd DEO, meanwhile, said it has completed the widening of a portion of Kabankalan-Jct Salong-Tapi-Dacongcogon-Bantayan Road in Kabankalan City, worth P34.4 million.
The project involved the widening of a 954-lineal meter portion of the existing two-lane road, specifically in Barangay Salong, and the construction of grouted riprap, stone masonry, and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
It also widened the 766-lineal meter portion of the Dancalan-Candoni-Damutan Valley Road in Ilog town, worth P33.7-million, from two to four lanes, and provision of pipe culverts, stone masonry, rubble concrete, and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
“These road widening efforts aim to facilitate better mobility, provide easement of road access, strengthen connectivity, hasten the delivery of basic government services even to remote areas, and augment economic development through agriculture,” Oropel said. | CGC
