P13.5M needed in urgent rehab works for Tubungan landslide area
Restoration and rehabilitation efforts for the damage brought by the landslide at Tubungan, Iloilo need a total of P13.5 million. “Urgently” too, as government engineers here said delay will further hamper the social and economic activities in the area. Even the delivery of basic services to hundreds of affected residents is in peril particularly since major road links have been destroyed.
The report was subject of the latest communication made by District Engineer Edgar Tabacon to Regional Director Rolando Asis of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). First District Board Member Richard Garin, Floor Leader of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP), was furnished a copy with the SP body then leading calls for government action and intervention on the Tubungan plight.
“Inspection conducted by the maintenance personnel of this office showed that immediate restoration of overflow structure and road leading to Brgy. Igtuble, Tubungan, Iloilo is urgently needed…,” District Engineer Tabacon wrote. Problem though, the work needs funding not within the current capacity of his office.
As such, Tabacon wrote “It is further informed that we do not have available funds for its immediate restoration considering that the road leading to that area is not a national road… In view hereof… requesting for release of funds to immediately restore the above-mentioned damaged structures.”
The project particularly calls for restoration and rehabilitation of the overflow at Lanag Norte-Igtuble-Igpajo Road by the Barangay Molina and Barangay Igtuble section amounting to P4.5 million. Another P9 million is needed for the proposed restoration and rehabilitation of the Lanag Norte-Igtuble-Igpajo road networks.
The landslide was caused by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Kiko early August. Three Tubungan barangays – Igtuble, Igpaho and Molina – were greatly affected that caused evacuation of 939 persons.
Over 500 hectares in barangays Molina and Igtuble were literally covered with mud that caused First District Board Member Mac Napulan to seek further help from the national government.
Napulan as a result of that call passed Resolution No. 2009-130.
“The environmental concern is an on-going threat not only to property but also to lives of the people living within the landslide prone areas which goes without saying that the government should not only address the rescue and evacuation of the victims but also to devise long-term solutions to this problem,” excerpts of the Resolution went.
Alongside the DPWH, call for action was also made to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
To date though, only the DPWH managed to submit an official reply and course of action before the SP body.