Tanco to push for construction of P5-B floodway project
ROXAS CITY – Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. is pushing for the construction of a P5-billion floodway structure as a long-term solution to the frequent flash floods in Capiz.
This was bared by Tanco to reporters as the province is preparing for the rainy season when flash foods that damaged millions of pesos in crops and properties and claimed lives usually take place.
Due to siltation causing shallow water in Tinagong Dagat, floods usually subside after almost a week.
In early 2000, the Task Force Tinagong Dagat under former Gov. Esteban Contreras blasted illegal dikes that block waterways going to the sea but dike owners were then able to secure a Temporary Restraining Order.
Tanco said he will prioritize the flood control program in his second term as he hopes that it will be implemented under the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, an ally of Senator Mar Roxas, a stalwart of the Liberal Party and former Capiz representative.
TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
As of now, Tanco said he is implementing temporary solutions to flooding and other disasters like organizing the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council and its counterparts in the municipal and barangay levels.
Engr. Julius Abela, assistant chief of Planning and Design Section and in-charge for special projects of the First Engineering District, said the P5-billon floodway project was already approved by National Economic Development Authority 6 and the Regional Development Council 6 and now ready for endorsement to the national government for implementation.
The project will be financed by Japan International Cooperative Agency through grant loan and has a counterpart from the Philippine government, including land acquisition, resettlement of affected families, and the compensation of landowners that will be affected by the floodway project.
Based on the feasibility study, the floodway measures 12.41 kilometers from Panitan River going to Tinagong Dagat in Pontevedra town. The floodway or river will be 172 meters wide.
The project will include a bridge to be put up in Brgy. Tico, Pontevedra.
Abela said the feasibility study to solve the flooding in Capiz was conducted in 1982 during the stint of former Gov. Cornelio Villareal Jr., however, it was not implemented because the provincial government misconstrued then that the counterpart will be shouldered by the provincial government but in fact, by the national government.
He added that the original budget during that time was only P3.2 billion.
