BORONGAN CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways - Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) has constructed flood control structure in Brgy. Pagnamitan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar to protect the lives and properties of the residents living in the area.
The flood control structure in Brgy. Pagnamitan has a length of 252 meters with project cost amounting to P29,643.037.78, funded under the General Appropriation Act 2020.
Gina Ugardo, a resident of Pagnamitan, said that during the typhoon Yolanda, all houses were totally damaged by the storm surge that directly hit the barangay.
“Pero yana nga may-ada na, gidadakui in inga bulig ha amon nga diri na kami maura-ura hit pagsudla hiton dagat ngan diri na kami maura-ura siguro hit pagkarurubai hiton amon mga panimalay ngan hiton kanan gobyerno propyedad [With the presence of the flood control structure, this will serve as barrier from big waves to prevent the damage of our houses and government properties during calamities],” said Ugardo.
Also, Barangay Captain Rolando Caadan said the completed flood control structure is protecting 237 families and government facilities from big waves during bad weather.
“Mga 237 families iton nakikinabang hini nga seawall hin panahon nga maraot it panahon. Naproproteksyonan liwat iton amon government facilities sugad han covered court, barangay hall, health center ngan eskwelahan ngan iba pa. [Around 237 families benefit this flood control structure specially during calamities. Aside from that, it also protects government facilities such as covered court, barangay hall, health center, school buildings and other public structures],” said Caadan.
He also expressed his gratitude to the government for the realization of the project and requested more infrastructure projects for his constituents.
“Dako it amon pagpasalamat hiton panggobyernuhan urog na kan Presidente Duterte nga tikang han iya paglingkod, dida pala kami hiagom hin seawall. It akon ngahaw ginhahangyo nga kunta matagan pa kami hin usa pa nga seawall ha may banda dapit naatubang ha pacific, tulay ngan evacuation center [We are very thankful to our government especially to President Duterte because we were provided by this seawall only during his term. Also, we are requesting for more infrastructure projects in our barangay such as another seawall at the other side of the barangay facing the pacific, evacuation center and bridge],” Caadan said.
Assistant District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad said the flood control structure in Brgy. Pagnamitan is built according to the DPWH specification and standards which aims to protect the lives and properties of the locals.
The Pagnamitan flood control structure started its construction on February 18, 2021, and was completed on October 11, 2021.
As to the request of the barangay captain, the assistant district engineer said that construction of another flood control structure in the area is under assessment by the Planning Section because the location is a protected area and certain environmental concerns need to be considered.
“However, the DPWH ESDEO is set to implement the Phase 1 of the Pagnamitan Bridge this year, which is one of the requests of the barangay chairman, to provide better accessibility in Guiuan-Sulangan Peninsula road and to widen the waterways in that area which also affects the floodings in Brgy. Pagnamitan,” added Engineer Natividad. (DPWH-ESDEO)
