TACLOBAN CITY, July 25 (PNA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now conducting a public consultation with property owners in coastal communities that will be displaced in the construction of tide embankment, a first line of defense against destructive big waves.
In a statement, DPWH Regional Director Rolando M. Asis said the DPWH kicked off the consultation in this city and it will run until October, covering affected communities in Tacloban City, Palo and Tanauan.
“These series of consultations aimed at drawing support from local officials and affected communities. This will help us ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
Shelter assistance of PHP72,000 will be given to the affected families for two-year rental while waiting for permanent houses to be built by the government.
The tide embankment project will start on December through a PHP7.5 billion funding from the national government.
The said project is in line with thrust of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson “build back better” principle — a project resilient to climate change, after the onslaught of super Typhoon Yolanda.
“Why not, as long as we’ll have a place or house to stay to. Every time we heard that there is low pressure area, we immediately packed things up and go to a safer place. It’s really not safe here; especially it’s along the seashore. As what I’ve heard in our meeting, we’ll be given permanent houses, but I still don’t know when,” said Myla Niones, resident of a coastal village in Sagkahan district.
The DPWH will only compensate displaced families for as long as they have proofs of ownership.
The national government will construct the PHP7.5 billion 27-kilometer embankments from this city to Tanauan town to shield coastal communities from rising seas.The two to three meters wide embankment, which is about four meters elevated above sea level, will start from Diit village in Tacloban. It will stretch up to coastal communities in Palo and Tanauan towns, according to the DPWH official. (PNA)