The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working to ensure the protection of residential areas in the coastal towns of Nabas and New Washington in Aklan by providing seawall structures against water overflow and potential storm surges.
Based on reports from DPWH Regional Office 6 Director Lea N. Delfinado and Aklan District Engineer Alejandro M. Ventilacion, Secretary Mark A. Villar said that both the ongoing construction in Nabas and the completed structure in New Washington are part of the Department’s plan to build stronger shore protection along various coastal areas in the province and the rest of Western Visayas.
According to Secretary Villar, the P23.5-million breakwater and seawall project in Nabas town involves the construction of a 162.8-meter shore protection (seawall) with 0.2-meter thick crest protection and Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP).
Civil works has attained 70 percent accomplishment rate, setting the project completion on or before its scheduled end date in August 2021.
Meanwhile, a 178.18-meter shore protection (seawall) resting on 4.5-meter long, 0.4-meter wide reinforced concrete sheet piles with reinforced concrete back wall was completed in New Washington in the amount of P22.99 million.
The seawall structure, delivered to completion during the third quarter of 2020, also has a 0.2-meter thick upper bank protection to ensure safety of the residents living along the coastline near the stretch of Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue.
Aside from protecting residents and their properties from flashfloods and water surge, the seawalls are also expected to alleviate further shoreline erosion caused by seasonal wave impacts leading to the protection from damaging of national and coastal roads in the area.