DPWH: Floodcontrol project protects Iloilo City from property losses

ILOILO CITY – The multi-billion Iloilo floodcontrol project in Jaro district will soon be completed by December this year in a move by the national government to spare city residents here of up to P5 billion annual losses in properties due to floods.

This was assured by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the people of Iloilo City recently. According to Patrick B. Gatan, head of the DPWH-Project Management Office for Major Flood Control (DPWH-PMO-MFCPI), the order from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. directed them to rush the completion of over P2.5 billion floodcontrol projects contracted by two foreign-based contractors.

This highly urbanized southern city has been suffering from flood damages almost every year due to the insufficient flow capacity of the Jaro River and poor drainage system in the Iloilo River Basin. This situation always deters investors and business locators to come here.

The flood control project is mainly composed of river improvement and construction of floodways. Two floodways are employed to divert the excess flood discharge of Jaro River towards the Iloilo Strait, namely Jaro Floodway and La Paz Floodway.

Funded by the Japan Intentional Cooperative Agency (JICA), Gatan said there are three contract packages for the Iloilo Flood Control Project.

Package 1, costing P1,580,361,689.33, involves the construction of the Jaro floodway. Contracted by the Korean-firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction C., the project includes the building of four bridges that will divert the overflowing flood in Jaro River. Package 1 also includes the construction Tigum and Aganan River improvement.

Package 2 contracted by China International Water and Electric Corp costing P1,061,208,472.47, covers the construction of Carpenter Bridge and the improvement of the Upper Ingore Creek, Jaro River Mouth and Iloilo River.

Contract Package 3, costing P29, 552,223.05, includes the construction and development of relocation sites in city-owned relocation lands in barangays Buntatala, Sooc and purok Kasadyahan.

The project provides shelter to the informal settlers in Iloilo City. With a 100 percent completion rate, the project provided adequate water supply, lighting system and livelihood projects for 3,000 families at the relocation sites.
by Lydia C. Pendon