Albay gets P500 M for flood control

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has ordered the inclusion of P500 million in the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways next year, for Albay’s flood control project.

The planned flood control project consist of four pumping stations in strategic locations in Legazpi City and the improvement and construction of flood control dikes, drainage systems and seawalls, especially in the coastal villages of Victory, San Roque and Baybay and along the Macabalo River.

The President approved the project early this year when he visited Albay and inspected disaster damages in the province. He is again set to visit Albay this month to inaugurate the Climate Change Academy at the Bicol University and keynote the First Philippine Media Conference on Climate Change Adaptation.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda noted that Legazpi City is one of the most prone to flash floods owing to its proximity to lahar gullies and waterways on the slopes of Mayon Volcano. Many of city’s barangays are also in low lying areas.

Salceda said the flood gates and pump stations in Legazpi City would “surely ease the problems and complaints of communities, and unburden us of some of our DDR (disaster risk reduction concerns) so we could focus more on many other areas of the province.”