DPWH completes P30 million seawall in Eastern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed a P30 million seawall in Eastern Samar that seeks to protect residents from a repeat of the Yolanda tragedy.

The DPWH yesterday said that it finished the construction of a 252-meter flood control structure in Barangay Pagnamitan in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

In a report, DPWH regional director Allan Borromeo said the agency prioritized the completion of the seawall to protect locals in the area from the threat of storm surges and flash floods.

Borromeo said the seawall, with a total cost of P29.64 million, protects at least 237 families who suffered the ferocity of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Considered as one of the strongest ever to hit the Philippines, Yolanda killed around 7,000 Filipinos mostly in Leyte and Samar.

According to Borromeo, the seawall also shields government facilities, including a health center and school buildings, from the risk of getting crushed by waves during the typhoon season. The structure also stands around natural reserves and protected areas.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the seawall assures residents of Pagnamitan that they will be safe even on bad weather days.

“This project has allowed residents to sleep peacefully at night – especially in the occurrence of heavy rains – knowing that the seawall will serve as a barrier from big waves that can take away lives and destroy their properties, such as houses, buildings and other local facilities situated in the barangay,” Bonoan said.

After the seawall, the DPWH will move forward with the first phase of the Pagnamitan Bridge, a project that eyes to expand accessibility in the Guiuan-Sulangan Peninsula Road and widen the waterways to minimize flooding in the area.

Likewise, the DPWH reported that it completed the final phase of widening works on the Ibajay Bypass Road in Aklan. The project involved expanding a 1.69-kilometer section of the road and installing 165 solar-powered street lights in it.

The DPWH upgraded the first 1.46 kilometers of the Ibajay Bypass road using 2019 funds and the subsequent 2.34 kilometers tapping the 2020 budget. The last phase cost P38.3 million and was financed by 2021 appropriations.

With the widening, the 5.49-kilometer road is banked on to decongest the stream of vehicles in the national highway, as it serves as an alternate route going to and from the town of Kalibo.

Bonoan committed to deliver the unfinished flagship projects of the previous administration and push for new ones with public works spending kept as a priority.