An urban drainage system project costing P96.5 Million in Butuan City that is part of Agusan River Basin Flood Control Project has been completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH Region 13 Director Danilo E. Versola reported the completion of the urban drainage system project which involves 2.77 kilometers channel excavation, provision of slope protection with 2.05 kilometer maintenance road, and construction of reinforced concrete box culverts barrels.
The Agusan River is the third largest river basin in the country with the drainage area of 10.9 square kilometers that flows through several provinces in Mindanao before draining into Butuan Bay where it overflows during rainy seasons and affects the economic development of the area.
Butuan City on the other hand is the seat of government offices and the heart of commercial and industrial activities in Caraga region. Its major roads and airport also serve as the gateway in Northern Mindanao towards numerous tourist attractions in its neighbor provinces including Surigao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
It is expected that the newly built urban drainage system will maximize the economic potential of Butuan City and its neighboring provinces as the city’s production of agricultural yields won’t be at risk of devastation during rainy season.
In early 2016, DPWH has completed the east bank levee, flood wall and west bank levee of Lower Agusan Development Project - Flood Control Component Stage 1 Phase 1 and 2 and the Adgaoan River Bank Protection in Barangay Panaganan and Poblacion La Paz, Agusan del Sur in the amount of P96.5 Million and P50.3 Million respectively.
Another project worth P91.4 Million which involves the completion of a flood control dike and construction of floodgate in Mantange Creek in Butuan City is expected to be completed within the year.