P75 million spent on shore protection in southern Iloilo

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Iloilo 1st District Engineering Office, allocated P75 million from its 2019 budget to complete the construction of the shore protection in Guimbal, Iloilo.

District Engineer Nonie A. Viyar said the shore protection project, constructed along the coasts of Gerona-Gimeno, Generosa-Colon and Rizal-Tuguisan, is expected to be completed this year.

“The P75.0 million is intended for the completion of 432.0-lineal meter concrete shore protection on steel sheet piles in these barangays in Guimbal, which were identified by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) as prone to storm surge,” Viyar said.

“There are around 300 households in these coastal barangays that are aimed to be protected from casualty and damage especially during typhoons that cause big waves and rising of seawater level,” she added.

Other than protecting the lives and properties of the people, Viyar said the project also includes construction of a 2 to 4-lane access road with the total length of 1,519.40 lineal meters going to Guimbal fish port, benefiting fisher folk in the area.

“Most of the people in these communities are fishermen, hence the road would provide access for faster transport of their products, improving their financial and economic status,” Viyar stressed.

The access road (bay walk) also leads to the town’s famous landmark, the Bantayan Watchtower, which will attract more tourists to have a better view of the sunrise and sunset and experience the deep blue sea.’

In addition, the road provides access to Guimbal football field that serves as venue for sports activities in the southern part of Iloilo

“This (bay walk) could be compared to Manila’s Baywalk and Iloilo City’s Esplanade, which will serve as venue for fitness enthusiasts. This may also serve as venue for family picnics, and a good place to have a scenic view of the Guimaras Straight, Guimbal River and the iconic Guimbal Bridge,” she added. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)