The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed 45 percent of Section 4 of the Road Heightening and Tide Embankment (RHTE) Project also known as the “Great Wall of Leyte”.
DPWH Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon said the 7.8-kilometer Section 4 of the Great Wall runs through coastal barangays from Barangay 89 of Tacloban City to Palo, Leyte has received P2.380 Billion from the General Appropriation Act of 2016. It is the first phase of the project which will be implemented in six (6) sections/segments.
“The project implementation is on track and we are working on the road-right-of-way (RROW) issues to speed up construction activities,” said Director Tabacon.
The RHTE Technical Working Group (TWG) has been conducting series of consultations with affected residents and other stakeholders of the projects in coordination with local government units (LGUs).
“We are still and are always open for dialogue to address issues arising even if the project is already in full swing, clarified Director Tabacon.
The P7.95 Billion RHTE is a 27.3 kilometer stretch, four-meter high seawall structure that will be implemented by DPWH in six (6) phases until 2020. It is part of government’s program on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Upon completion, the great wall will intensify safety of coastal communities during typhoons or strom surges, protecting Yolanda-affected areas in Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan from future similar calamities.
With its bike lane component, the wall is also seen to provide tourism opportunities in the province, as it can showcase view of the sunset as well as mangrove forest along the coastal areas, thus generating economic benefits to local residents.