The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed an 89.7m pesos ($1.5m) domestic road rehabilitation project in Tublay, Benguet, to improve road safety and accessibility in a landslide-prone area.
The project was funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act and executed by the DPWH Benguet Second District Engineering Office.
The road rehabilitation spans 110 linear metres and includes slope protection measures such as an erosion control mat, permanent ground control, and an active wire mesh system.
These measures are crucial for restoring safety along the Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road in Barangay Tublay Central.
DPWH CAR director Khadaffy D Tanggol reported to DPWH secretary Manuel M Bonoan that the project addresses the need for erosion control and slope stabilisation.
Tanggol said: “The intervention was necessary to prevent disruptions caused by landslides and rockfalls, which previously posed significant risks to commuters and nearby communities.”
In addition to the Benguet road rehabilitation project, DPWH has also completed a 74.2m pesos flood control structure in Catanauan, Quezon Province, to safeguard residents along the left bank of the Catanauan River, enhancing their resilience against floods.
According to Bonoan, based on a report from DPWH Region 4A director Jovel G Mendoza, the flood control structure was constructed to combat the recurrent flooding that has caused loss of life, property damage, and economic setbacks.
The flood control project comprises 255.20 linear metres of structure, with two sections that bridge the gap between existing barriers. The first section is 183.20 linear metres while the second is 72 linear metres.
Mendoza said: "The 74.2m pesos river wall will serve as a protective barrier against flooding, safeguarding residential areas, roads, plantations, and other critical infrastructure from flood-related damages, ensuring the safety and long-term viability of the community."
In October 2024, DPWH constructed a domestic flood mitigation structure along the Magat River in Barangay Turod, Reina Mercedes, Isabela.
