TACLOBAN CITY – Biliran province is seeking a PHP1-billion fund to finance flood control and river rechannelling projects to ensure that there will be no repeat of similar destructions brought by typhoon “Urduja” late last year.
The cost estimate is based on the assessment of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aimed at restoring typhoon damages and improving flood control infrastructures, according to Biliran lone district Rep. Rogelio Espina.
“Without these projects, there’s always a threat of damages to infrastructure and properties in future typhoons and flooding,” Espina told reporters on Monday.
The proposed rechannelling projects will be done in the rivers of Caraycaray, Anas, and Catmon in Naval town; Bagongbong in Almeria; Mapuyo and Tucdao in Kawayan; Amambahag in Culaba; Busali in Biliran; and Mainit in Caibiran. These projects require at least PHP310 million outlay.
Major rechannelling projects include PHP200 million for Kaulangohan, Calambis, and Mapula River in Caibiran and Añog River in Cabucgayan; PHP100 million for Bool River in Culaba town and Ungali, Madao River in Kawayan; and PHP100 million for Esperanza and Ariquin River in Cabucgayan.
The province also needs PHP290 million for the rehabilitation of 10 flood control projects in Naval, Almeria, Kawayan, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, and Biliran towns. The structures are expected to protect the foundation of bridges and the Biliran Circumferential Road.
Espina is pushing for the inclusion of PHP290 million flood control project budget in the regular funds of DPWH next year. The PHP710 million rechannelling activities is up for funding by the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council.
The Biliran provincial disaster risk reduction and management council reported that landslides and flooding brought by tropical storm “Urduja” has killed 47 people when it made landfall in mid-December last year.
The weather disturbance has displaced 22,535 families or 90,000 persons in Biliran province alone.
Biliran is one of the country’s smallest provinces with a land area of 536 square kilometers and a population of 171,612 as of 2015.
Formerly a sub-province of Leyte, it became an independent province in 1992. (Sarwell Meniano/PNA)
