DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spearheads the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of four slope protection projects in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan on Sunday, April 30.
These projects are funded under the 2022 Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) with a total amount of P173,620,187.
Projects include the rehabilitation of slope protection (river wall) with sheet piles located at Sitio Riverside in Brgy. Maningding with a total funding of P40,000,000; rehabilitation of slope protection (river wall) with sheet piles located at resettlement area in Brgy. Poblacion Norte amounting to P25,000,000; rehabilitation of slope protection (river wall) with sheet piles located at Brgy. Poblacion Norte (near hanging bridge) with a total fund of P68,620,187; and rehabilitation of slope protection (river wall) with sheet piles located at Sitio Riverside (back of Cardozo’s residence) in Brgy. Maningding with P40,000,000 funding.
According to Raymondo Santos, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, these infrastructures were damaged in 2022 after Severe Tropical Storm Florita affected the province of Pangasinan causing the partial collapse of dikes along Sinocalan River in Brgy. Poblacion Norte (two portions) and Brgy. Maningding (two portions).
Rehabilitation of these protection walls is eminent to secure and protect residents, crops, and other properties from destructive effects of flooding and lessen the incidence of flooding in the municipality.
In a message of DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., delivered by Undersecretary Assistant for External and Legislative Affairs Juan Victor Llamas, he said, “This P173-million project is a manifestation that the government works for you.”
“With the construction of the slope protection, it will provide protection of the soil from erosion and rain drop impact. These slope protection aims to stand the forces of nature such as rainfall and wind without causing further damage to our properties, to our land we toil for our living, and most of all the lives of our people,” Llamas added.
Meanwhile, Sta. Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan thanked the DILG for the approval of their request and grant of this assistance.
“We are deeply indebted to the DILG and to the national government for this kind assistance to our humble town. Sana madagdagan pa po ang inyong suporta at tulong para matapos na ang problema namin sa baha,” he said. (PIA Pangasinan)
