DPWH releases part of P2B for Legazpi comprehensive drainage project

By: Alfredo L. Vargas Jr. LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 29 (PNA) -- The ongoing implementation of the P2-billion comprehensive urban drainage project of this city will be sustained this year with a fresh working funding of P300 million recently released by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The amount, which is equivalent to 15 percent of the total project cost, is the second released funding for the project since implementation began last year at an initial budget of P500 million. City Administrator Noel Rosal, former mayor of this and who was on his third consecutive term when the drainage project was approved and assured budget allocation by DPWH, said the recent release, although not enough to complete the project, can further relieve the burden of floods in the 20 urban barangays here. Aside from deep and wide line canals stretching along national highways and city and provincial roads at the Legazpi Port and Old Albay districts, at least three pumping stations will be constructed. These will be distributed one each at the mouth of the rivers in Barangays Bonot, San Roque and Dapdap. Canals being constructed are deep and wide enough to avoid clogging. “The pumping stations shall be the last to be constructed according to our engineers and the approved plans. Implementation is focused on establishing flood routes via these canals to the site of the pumping stations,” said Rosal, spouse of incumbent City Mayor Geraldine Rosal. The project will also include dike rehabilitation along the Macabalo River and its major tributaries and the setting up of a jetty structure in Yawa River. This city’s port district and the downtown lie below sea level that torrential rains, especially during increment weather and periods of high tide, trigger massive floods and take long to subside. “Last year, Legazpiños were already convinced of the favorable impacts of the project. Floods before took about 10 hours to subside, but with last year’s partial implementation, it has been reduced to three hours,” said Pecos Intia, city disaster risk reduction management officer. The P300-million budget for the drainage project is part of the DPWH’s P6.6-billion funding this year for vital infrastructure projects in the region. The funding is distributed as follows: Camarines Sur, P1.6 billion; Albay, P1 billion; Camarines Norte, P922.5 million; Catanduanes, P681.6 million; Masbate, P524.2 million, and Sorsogon, P520.7 million. (PNA) FFC/FGS/ALV/MMG/ABB