The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is undertaking the construction of a dike that will protect the long stretch of a tertiary road leading to the municipal proper of Magallanes, Agusan Del Norte.
“The construction of flood control infrastructure has always been one of the priority projects greatly considered by the Department especially in areas that are more susceptible to overflowing of river and flooding,” said Secretary Mark Villar.
In 2019, DPWH Agusan del Norte District Engineering Office implemented the construction of a 455 linear meter dike with concrete revetment along Pandanon-Magallanes Road, completed last May 2020, and 120.4 linear meters continued this year under the CY 2020 Regular Infrastructure Program.
In addition, another concrete dike with a length of 400.3 linear meters is being constructed across the 2019 dike project not only to protect the road from scouring due to high rise of water and strong river current, but most importantly protecting the residents living nearby.
The municipality of Magallanes in Agusan del Norte is surrounded with mountains and bounded by the two rivers, Baug and Agusan River. The elevation of the area is below sea level, the town center is in the river delta, and the people living along the coastal areas are always endangered by the threats of rising water from the rivers and flashfloods during heavy rains and typhoons.
“We used to be really terrified whenever there’s a typhoon because our area is prone to storm surge. We are really thankful for this dike project because our homes are now protected and we can live in peace”, says Chelsea Lavador, resident of Barangay Caloc-an, Magallanes.
The ongoing project is targeted to be fully completed by February 2021.