DPWH initiates Aklan River flood control feasibility study
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The silted Aklan River between the flood-prone towns of Kalibo and Numancia. DPWH is conducting studies to solve the flooding in low-lying areas of the seven towns in Aklan / PHOTOS BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – To address the perennial flooding in Aklan, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has initiated the masterplan and feasibility study for the Aklan River flood control and drainage project.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Roger Esto said an international consulting firm was commissioned by the DPWH Project Management Office for the conduct of the detailed feasibility study on flooding.
Last Tuesday, the team held a consultative meeting with the representatives of local government units from Libacao, Madalag, Lezo, Malinao, Banga, Kalibo and Numancia for the data gathering of flood and sediment damage and disaster mitigation systems in the Aklan River basin area in the seven towns affected by flooding.
The master plan is part of the funding institution Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) package for the economic profiling, studies for flood control and components of infrastructures, especially the towns of Kalibo and Numancia near the mouth of Aklan River.

Esto said the project will cost more than P1-billion for Aklan, among the three JICA-recipient provinces in Eastern and Western Visayas.
The long-term plan is intended for the detailed engineering design, master planning, flood control and damage projects and construction of infrastructures of the province that will eventually solve the perennial flooding of flood-prone areas in Aklan.
“The consultants and engineers, who are conducting studies from May 26 to 28, brought out some concerns to barangay officials of what are the important infrastructures to protect the residents living along the riverbanks. The masterplan and feasibility study is a tedious planning process, but in the long run, we need infrastructures to mitigate flooding,” Esto said.
Esto stressed the barangay officials and local planners hinted of river embankment infrastructures between Kalibo and Numancia and the dredging of the silted Aklan River to solve the flooding.
Although the P1-billion is not enough, the project, Esto added, would prioritize the 3-kilometer area from the mouth of Aklan River going upstream during the construction phase.
Esto said the engineers and consultants will validate the data gathered by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and Task Force Bangon Aklan after Typhoon Frank devastated the province of Aklan two years ago.
More than P2-billion are lost in 2008, triggered by heavy rains and landslides. The damages in agriculture, transportation and infrastructures had seriously affect the economic activities of the province.
Esto said the initial data will be consolidated for the formulation of long-term plans and the team will be back by next week to present the report in a consultative meeting. DPWH targets to conclude the feasibility study in six months and the construction would commence in 2011, he concluded.