NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte – Residents living in the coastal area near the region’s international seaport here stand to benefit from the completion of the more than P102.8 million rehabilitation of the damaged seawall.
Residents of Barangay Punta in the frontier town of Nasipit, are now protected against big waves, storm surge, soil erosion, and flooding after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed the rehabilitation of the damaged seawall.
Citing reports on Wednesday from DPWH 13 Regional Director Engr. Pol M. Delos Santos and Asst. Regional Director Nomer Abel P. Canlas, the completed seawall will now protect the residents from overflow and big sea waves during heavy rains brought about by bad weather condition.
In his progress report to DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, DPWH 13 Regional Director Engr. Delos Santos explained that repair is necessary in as much as the old seawall has suffered damage and degradation over the years, and its height could no longer protect against overflow and big waves from sweeping light material houses along the shore especially during heavy rains.
Reconstruction of the seawall was made with sheet pile and wave deflector with 3-meter width road concreting and installation of solar street lights.
The project was implemented by DPWH Regional Office 13.
The new seawall also offers a venue for recreation and fitness activities for locals and visitors while enjoying a picturesque view of sunrise and sunset.
“This completed seawall is a big help for the protection of our residents living near the region’s international seaport,” Delos Santos said.
Local officials led by Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera, Agusan del Norte 2ndDistrict Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba and Nasipit town Mayor Enrico Corvera lauded the project especially since Punta is a coastal barangay and highly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of flooding.
Meanwhile, the DPWH is fast-tracking the widening of Cabadbaran Bridge along the Surigao-Agusan Section of Daang Maharlika in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte to address the problem of traffic on the bridge.
When completed, the additional two-lane bridge will ease traffic in the area and provide faster mobility of people, goods, and services from Surigao City/Surigao del Norte to Butuan City or to any point in Mindanao.
“Economic activity in Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga region is also expected to flourish, especially in the areas of fishery, agro-forestry, mining, and eco-tourism,” Delos Santos said.
The project involves slab and sidewalk and bridge approaches with steel railings and solar lights. Efforts to remove obstructions were fast-tracked in order to proceed with civil works and other construction works.
The new bridge is expected to be completed before the end of this year.