Landslide-hit Nabas road closed to vehicles

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will temporary close to all vehicles on August 15 the road section in Nabas, Aklan leading to Caticlan, the main jump-off point to Boracay Island.

PHOTO DATU PAIBARE

Aklan District Engineer Noel Fuentebella said the agency will conduct repair activities of the 30-meter road stretch in Barangay Libertad (Tulingon) affected by road slip and landslides. The road section links Nabas to Malay, which is just 15 kilometers to Caticlan.  

“Delikado na ang mga sasakyan sa nasabing daan. Kailangan maagapan na hindi mahulog ang kalsada sa Tulingon, total closure na tayo mula August 15. Ang asphalt pavement ay kukunin natin at papalitan ng konkretong daan,” he stressed. 

The metal sheet piling of about 86 feet to protect the slope will also start on site on August 15. 

Last December, typhoon Urduja triggered landslides, blocking road sections in Barangay Libertad and Rizal.  

 

With the road closure, travelers and vehicles bound to Caticlan have to avoid the Tulingon road and take the longer Pandan-Libertad in Antique and Buruanga road route or vice versa.  Pedestrians may still use the road section after 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and between 12 noon to 1 p.m. or during off construction works. 

 

Fuentebella said the P14-million road repair will take one-and-half months to be finished ahead of Boracay Island re-opening on October 26.

“Pag magawa ang road section, bubuksan agad natin ang kalsada,” he added.

Last August 6, the DPWH allowed motorists and light vehicles to use only one-lane of the road section.

Meanwhile, Nabas town mayor James Solanoy assured residents of Unidos, Rizal and Union in Nabas directly affected by the road closure with win-win solutions.

“Titingnan natin kung maari silang bumaba malapit sa damaged road section at mag-transfer sa kabila, doon sa naghihintay na sasakyan,” he added.