DPWH builds slope
protection along landslide prone highway in Leyte
By
DPWH Leyte 2nd LED
March 28, 2019
CARIGARA, Leyte –
The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) has completed the
P49 million slope protection project along a landslide prone road
section in Lemon village, Capoocan, Leyte.
The concrete wall
protecting the national highway from landslide covers a total length
of 350 meters and a height of 8 meters. The department also
rehabilitated the canal along this structure.
According to Gerald
Pacanan, DPWH Leyte 2 district engineer, this section along Palo-Carigara-Ormoc
road accommodates a huge number of motorists and travelling public
everyday as it connects to major cities in the province.
“This will prevent major
soil erosions that could endanger the properties and lives of the
people utilizing the highway,” he added.
The permanent concrete
structure will provide slope stability, thus avoiding abrupt
collapse of weakened slope brought upon by heavy downpour and
natural ground movement.
In December 2017, one lane
of this particular road section was left impassable to traffic due
to a landslide and after a portion of the road collapsed during the
onslaught of Tropical Storm Urduja.
“In the recent years, the
country has experienced series of strong typhoons and earthquakes
that have caused major damages and casualties. That is why the
department continuously implements quality infrastructure projects
that could safeguard the life of every Filipino,” said Pacanan.
In Leyte 2, Capoocan is
among the high-risk towns susceptible to landslides, along with some
inland villages in Burauen, La Paz, and Mac Arthur based on the
geohazard assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.