DPWH releases P27.5m for repair of flood-hit structures in South Cotabato

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has released an initial PHP27.5 million for the repair of various infrastructure in South Cota-bato province that were damaged by the severe floods in the area last June 24.

Reynaldo Tamayo, DP WH Region 12 director, said Friday such funding is mainly intended for the immediate repair of two vital bridges in Norala town and the reconstruction of a riverside dike in Banga town that was destroyed during the floods.

He said around PHP10 million was set aside for the damaged dike along the Banga River while the remaining PHP17.5 million will be utilized for the major repairs on the two bridges in Norala.

“These were among the priority structures that need immediate attention based on our evaluation,” Tamayo said in a radio interview.

Citing their assessment, he said the main structure and the approaches of the bridges in Norala were severely damaged as a result of the previous floods.

In Banga, he said the floods almost wiped out the gabion dike that protects several riverside communities.

The official said they will rebuild and prop-up the dikes to provide additional protection to residents in case of another major flooding in the area.

The provincial government of South Cotabato placed the entire province last month under the state of calamity as a result of the June 24 floods and landslides, which left three people dead and about 1,000 others displaced.

The floods and landslides, which came following hours of moderate to heavy rains, damaged an estimated PHP100 million worth of crops and infrastructure.

It affected parts of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Banga, Tantangan, Norala and Tupi.

Based on the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s assessment, at least 21 infrastructure facilities in the area were damaged by the floods and need immediate rehabilitation. (pna)