Two river control projects in the province of Aklan were completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, one in the town of Kalibo and the other in Banga.
According to District Engineer Noel L. Fuentebella, the construction of revetment wall in Brgy. Bakhaw in Kalibo, along Aklan River is implemented in the contract amount of P82.649 million, while the revetment wall in Brgy. Linabuan in Banga has the contract amount of P31.716 million.
“The river control in Kalibo town includes construction of 480.97 meters revetment wall, 4.66 meters high on steel sheet piles with keywalls, four (4) units spur dike with cut-off wall and earthworks,” he said.
“In the municipality of Banga, on the other hand, the project includes construction of 253.80 meters revetment wall, 5.20 meters high on 6.0 meters steel sheet piles with spur dike and crest protection,” he added.
In addition, Assistant District Engineer Leo P. Bionat said that the projects could protect not only the properties but also the lives of the people in the area.
“The river control project in Brgy. Linabuan in Banga could benefit at least 3,000 residents while the project in Brgy. Bakhaw in Kalibo could benefit 3,500 residents,” Bionat said.
“These areas were once flood prone, that when continuous rain occur, the water from the river overflows, damaging the properties in the neighborhood, hence, with these river control projects, overflowing of water to the community would be prevented,” he added.