ERODED RIVER WALL. Village residents of Metro Gabu in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte put sand and concrete bags on the eroded portion of the Gabu River revetment on (Wednesday) Aug. 30, 2023. The DPWH has assured PHP50 million for the repair of the damaged structure. (Contributed photo)
LAOAG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways, through the initiative of Ilocos Norte (1st District) Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos, has assured PHP50 million in funding for the immediate repair of the Gabu River revetment wall to save and protect residents living close to the river in this city.
During a special session held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod here on Thursday, Laoag City Councilor Handy Lao thanked the lawmaker for his immediate action to ensure the repair and rehabilitation of the retaining wall damaged by Super Typhoon Egay aggravated by Typhoon Goring.
The concrete revetment serves as a defense against the force of the river especially during heavy rains.
“We are thankful for the fast action of Rep. Sandro Marcos as he approved PHP50 million from his congressional fund for the construction of the river wall,” said Lao as an initial survey on the extent of damages has been earlier conducted.
At the height of Goring, Lao and other city officials witnessed how residents near the river dike feared for their lives and properties being threatened by flooding and soil erosion along the river bank.
"Construction will start once the area is workable” as soon as the weather improves, Councilor Bryan Alcid said Thursday.
The Megapolitan Builders, owned by the Alcid family, lent a payloader truck with a load of sand and concrete pavement to prevent the rising of water and add a foundation to the affected area.
With a taller and sturdier concrete revetment along the Gabu River, residents are assured that the inundation of flooding and soil erosion along the river banks will be avoided in case of heavy rains preventing damage of properties and loss of lives, Lao said. (PNA)
