The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of two domestic river protection projects in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.  

These initiatives, with a combined cost of 270.2m pesos ($4.82m), were designed to reduce flood risks along the Aciga and Kalinawan Rivers in Barangay La Paz and Barangay Poblacion 1. 

One of the projects included the construction of a 390m concrete dyke, extending from Aciga River in Poblacion 1 to Kalinawan River in La Paz, completed at a cost of 144.75m pesos in May 2024.  

The DPWH has also finished the repair and reconstruction of a 357m road dike along Aciga River, with an investment of 125.45m pesos, in Barangay Poblacion. 

DPWH Regional Office 13 director Pol M Delos Santos said: “These newly completed structures are designed as a protective barrier against water runoff and soil erosion that triggers flooding in riverside communities and low-lying areas.” 

The DPWH is also nearing the completion of a preventive maintenance and improvement project along Manila North Road in Bamban, Tarlac.  

This 93.47m pesos road project, covering a 1.03km section in Barangay Rolling Hills, includes asphalt overlay, reblocking, solar LED streetlights, and thermoplastic pavement marking.  

The project is 99% complete. 

Three local road projects have also been completed that have improved access to Barangay Caluluan, Barangay San Vicente in Concepcion, and Barangay Mayang, Lapaz.  

The construction of a 583m, two-lane road in Barangay Calaluan cost 4.85m pesos and included a reinforced concrete box culvert for irrigation and drainage.  

In Barangay Mayang, a 634.4m, two-lane road with solar LED streetlights was implemented at a cost of 4.95m pesos. 

Meanwhile, in Barangay San Vicente, an 809.79m stone masonry structure was constructed along the side of an existing road for 7.68m pesos.