Monday, September 08, 2008 DPWH urged to speed up flood control projects
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to speed up its work and completion of the different flood control projects around the country, especially in areas within the typhoon belt and prone to heavy rainfalls and flooding, Deputy Presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said.
Arroyo issued the directive as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pag-asa) warned that there are at least seven more typhoons expected to hit the country until the end of the year, three of which expected in September.
"I want the DPWH to complete putting in place the infrastructure that will protect the lives and properties in these flood prone areas," President Arroyo said as quoted by Golez who is also the spokesman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Golez said among the flood control projects of the government is the Viga River Flood Control Project in Viga in Catanduanes, which is now 86.5 percent complete.
He said Catanduanes, being one of the islands in Bicol region located in the typhoon belt, needs the flood control program to mitigate damage to agricultural and residential areas.
The P3.8 million flood control project involves the cleaning and grubbing of embankment, structure excavation, rip-rap works, rubble concreting and concrete facing. The project is expected to be fully completed next month. (JMR/Sunnex)
