P55-million Libacao flood-control project to minimize flooding

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Libacao mayor Charito Navarosa said the local contractor of the P55-million river control project in his town had already started the repair and expansion of the existing rivetment wall.

The multi-million project is part of the P600-million infrastructure rehabilitation fund for Panay Island to build bridges and roads damaged by typhoon Frank last June 2008.

Navarosa said the project stretches from Barangay Poblacion to Barangay Janlud for an additional 500 meters from the existing 1.280 lineal meters to mitigate the perennial and destructive flooding in low-lying areas along the Aklan River.

"The flood control rehabilitation project is one of the priority sites, in an effort to address the flooding during the rainy season," the mayor said.

Torrential rains spawned by typhoon Frank has triggered massive flooding in the towns of Libacao, Madalag, Lezo, Banga, Malinao, Numancia and the capital town of Kalibo two years ago.

Other projects in Western Visayas to restore infrastructures damaged by the typhoon include the repair of Iloilo-Dumangas coastal road for P65-million, replacement of E. Marcos in Maasin-Cabatuan, Iloilo for P180 million, repair of Patnongon-Valderama road in Antique for P50-million, completion of Baltazar Aquino–Leon, Iloilo for P110-million, repair of Balabag-Sulangan road in Dumangas, Iloilo for P50-million and completion of Camangahan-Tubungan, Iloilo for P90 million.

Last week in Cebu City, Mayor Navarosa thanked outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the projects that benefited his constituents, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program of the national government.