Slope protection to ensure road safety in highland areas of central Iloilo

Traveling from the upland barangays of Leon in central Iloilo to the town proper will be safer when the construction of slope protection structure is completed.

The project was undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office.

OIC-District Engineer (DE) Mario G. Soriano of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) said the rehabilitation of slope protection structure along Junction Bancal-Leon-Antique Road in Brgy. Mali-ao, Leon, Iloilo is nearing completion.

“We are currently undertaking two slope protection projects along the said road section. Project 1, in the amount of Php 86.129 million, involves construction of 152-meter slope protection structures utilizing the high tensile wire mesh. The second project, costing Php 93.551 million, involves construction of 95-meter slope protection including drainage structure,” DE Soriano said.

“To date, we have already achieved roughly 87 percent completion of the Project 1 compared to the planned 58 percent accomplishment and we are hoping to complete the project earlier than October 2021 schedule. For Project 2, we have already completed 68 percent compared to the planned 49 percent completion rate,” Soriano added.

Likewise, DPWH 6 Regional Director (RD) Lea N. Delfinado said the project will ensure that traffic will not be hampered by possible landslide that may be caused by heavy rains.

“These portions of the national road are very susceptible to landslide and rock fall especially when heavy rains occur, posing danger to commuters and residents, hence, its rehabilitation is significant in order to preserve the life and properties of the people living in the area,” RD Delfinado said.

“This (slope protection structure) will further help in the faster delivery of agricultural products from the highland barangays of Leon and Alimodian to the market; and faster delivery of medical and other basic services to the people in the far-flung areas,” RD Delfinado added.

In addition, the slope protection will provide a safer travel to Bucari Pine Forest in Brgy. Bucari, Leon which is considered as the “Little Baguio” of Iloilo province and to other tourist destinations in Alimodian town like Imoy Falls and “Seven Cities” which known for organic vegetable production. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)