An 835.57-lineal meter long and three-meter-high concrete seawall, worth P87 million, was constructed along the shorelines of Barangay Zone 1 in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, to protect structures and settlements against sudden tidal surge and erosion.
Undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways Negros Occidental 1st District Engineering Office, the project included the construction of a four-meter-wide reinforced concrete slab, and a 0.5-meter-high mattress that will serve as wave deflectors.
DPWH6 regional director Sanny Boy Oropel said that this seawall will assure residents in coastal areas, especially fisherfolk, that they will be protected against possible threats of strong waves and tides.
“This structure will act as barrier between the sea and the land, absorbing and reflecting wave energy to prevent further erosion of the coastline,” Oropel said in a statement July 17.
By stabilizing the shoreline, seawalls help safeguard coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from the destructive forces of storms, tides, and rising sea levels, he added.
District engineer Dene Baldonado Jr. also said the body of water enclosed by the seawall, and separated from the main seawater, can be used by fisherfolk as an area where they can anchor their boats.
“This separator offers a safer venue for our fisherfolk in docking their boats during high tides or typhoons, protecting their means of livelihood. This will also minimize the impact of water current from the sea to the communities,” Baldonado stressed.
Seawall is a significant coastal defense, preventing erosion, reducing flooding risks, and enhancing safety along shorelines, the DPWH said, adding that coastal communities can effectively manage risks associated with climate change and ensure the long-term sustainability of their coastlines. ||
