Two (2) ongoing slope protection structures slated for completion by 3rd and 4th quarter of 2021 are seen to guarantee safety of upland communities in central part of Iloilo.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar said that the DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) is undertaking the rehabilitation of slope protection structures along Junction Bancal-Leon-Antique Road in Barangay Mali-ao, Leon; that would benefit towns of Leon and Alimodian.
OIC-District Engineer Mario G. Soriano reported to Secretary Villar and Region 6 Director Lea Delfinado that works are in on-going for the P86.13-million construction of 152-meter slope protection structures utilizing the high tensile wire mesh method and another P93.55-million construction of 95-meter slope protection including a drainage structure.
The 152-meter slope protection project has already attained 87 percent completion compared to target of 58 percent while the 95-meter slope protection project reached 68 percent surpassing the 49 percent target.
The projects’ location on portions of the Junction Bancal-Leon-Antique Road, which are very susceptible to landslide and rock fall especially when heavy rains occur, thus the need to protect the lives and properties of people living in the area.
With interventions to prevent closure of the national road, the structures will contribute in facilitating speedy transport of agricultural products from the of Leon and Alimodian to the market; allowing for better delivery of medical and other basic services to the people in the far-flung areas; and providing secured access to local tourist sites.