BUTUAN CITY – With the completion of the flood control project here, the flood problem along the downstream of this region’s fastest growing frontier and capital city of Butuan in Northeastern Mindanao (The Caraga Region) is now believed to be a ‘thing of the past.’
“Everybody is enjoying now following the completion of this flood control project,” Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 13) Regional Director Engr. Pol M. Delos Santos told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.
He said that upon the directive of DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, the agency has completed this flood control structure towards the downstream area of the Taligaman-Antongalon-Mahay Creek in Butuan City.
The 660.66 lineal meter reinforced concrete revetment now contains the water from the creek, guiding its way under the bridge, and away from the road and surrounding rice paddies of Barangays Taligaman, Antongalon, Mahay, Lemon, Tagabaca, and Basag, all of this city.
In his progress report to Secretary Mercado, the region’s top DPWH official director Delos Santos said that the project is programmed to reach the cut-off channel in Barangay Baan to let the water flow into the giant Agusan River, resolving the flooding problem in the area.
"With a budget of P142 million, we extended the revetment a few meters downstream so that we can solve the road flooding on both approaches of Lemon Bridge which is constantly flooded during extreme weather conditions,” said director Delos Santos.
During the onslaught of Super Typhoon ‘Odette’ and the recent Low Pressure Area (LPA), it was observed that the rice fields in Barangay Lemon and Mahay were no longer flooded, and the road along Tiniwisan-Lemon was also cleared of overflowing water from the creek, making it passable for all types of vehicles.
“With its completion, farmers are expecting a high yield of rice harvest. More importantly, barren silted rice paddies are now suitable for planting again,” added delos Santos.
Meanwhile, the city official of Butuan headed by Mayor Ronnie Vicente R. Lagnada expressed heartfelt gratitude to the DPWH hierarchy for resolving the flood problem in the areas.
“This is really a big help to our continuing economic progress and development in our city,” stressed Mayor Lagnada.