The provincial government of Negros Oriental on Thursday formally inaugurated the multi-million-peso river flood control project in Barangay Tapon Norte, San Jose town to prevent a repeat of the devastation wrought by tropical storm Sendong in 2011.
Governor Roel Degamo and San Jose Mayor Carmelo Remollo led local and barangay officials during the simple blessing and inauguration officiated by the town parish priest, Msgr. Marino Ybo at the re-channeled river bed in Tapon Norte.
This is the first project to be completed by the provincial government with funding allocation from the national government for relief and rehabilitation in Negros Oriental following the onslaught of “Sendong”.
The national government had initially allocated P961 million for various development projects for Negros Oriental but so far, Capitol has received only half of the amount or P480 million after a “controversy” on the technicalities in the funding allocation.
The flood control project, estimated to cost some P53 million, was completed in seven months and includes the erection of a dike on both sides of the river and gabions in the upstream portion.
The dike spans some 472 meters toward the sea while the gabions measure some 300 meters, according to Gov. Degamo.
At the same time, dredging and re-channeling of the said river spans about two kilometers, he added.
The governor expressed confidence that with the completion of the river control project, people living along the river banks and nearby areas are now protected in the event of flooding.
The river course passes through at least four densely populated barangays in San Jose – Basak, Cancawas, Tapon Norte and Poblacion, according to Mayor Remollo.
He expressed gratitude for the flood control project that will now provide protection to lives and properties of his constituents.
Mayor Remollo is also hoping that similar civil engineering works to stabilize the river will be undertaken in the future.
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Source: PNA, June 24, 2013