Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Disaster body seeks funding for projects By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) recently endorsed P9 million worth of disaster mitigation projects for funding using the five percent local calamity fund of the provincial government.
Among the projects endorsed are disaster preparedness activities and measures, as well as the rehabilitation of roads affected by recent heavy rains.
Vice Governor Manny Piñol led the recent meeting of the PDCC executive committee where they endorsed the proposed protection dike in Binay, Magpet and Tuael, President Roxas, portion of the Kabacan River. The project costs P3.1 million.
Governor Jesus Sacdalan, in a visit to Barangay Binay last month, ordered the immediate work on a temporary protection dike at Kabacan River, which threatens to swell with the oncoming rains that may cause devastating floods in several villages including Poblacion President Roxas.
Officials and residents of President Roxas have been increasingly concerned since the river has shifted from its natural path and is dangerously cutting its way through productive farmlands towards barangays Tuael and Alegria in President Roxas.
Rushing waters of a massive flashflood could find its way into Poblacion President Roxas through these barangays and cause massive destruction of lives and property.
Also endorsed by the PDCC executive committee for funding were the landslide control project at Upper Bao, Alamada worth P2 million, the rehabilitation of the Nicaan-Banisilan Road costing a more than P2 million and the rehabilitation of the New Panay-Patot road in Pigcawayan also worth P2 million.
These major roads in the 1st Congressional District have been severely affected by heavy rains for the past several weeks.
