The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced today that they are undertaking river dredging works in Samar and Leyte to alleviate flooding.
Citing reports from DPWH Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said that 11 units of dredging equipment are working to desilt major waterways in Eastern Visayas Region.
According to DPWH, amphibious excavators have been deployed to Sta. Sofia Canal in Padre Burgos; Hilongos, Leyte; Mangonbangon River in Tacloban City, Leyte; Bangon River, Palo, Leyte; and in Canturing River in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
A Watermaster Classic IV has also been deployed to dredge Calbiga River in Calbiga, Samar under corrective maintenance.
“These efforts are being done to ensure the safety of residents, mitigate effects of flooding on livelihood, water quality, and vegetation, and to protect roads and bridges from flood-related damage and destruction,” added Secretary Bonoan .
AS reported, the department has already dredged and cleared portions of the Burayan River in Tacloban City, while dredging operations in Bangon River to mitigate the risks of flooding in the Town of Palo, Leyte, have been ongoing for two years now.