New flood wall in Iloilo gears up for disaster resilience

ENSURING SAFETY Policemen and emergency responders, in this photo taken on Tuesday, help evacuate residents of Barangay Sooc in Arevalo district as floods hit a large part of Iloilo City.
—PHOTO COURTESY OF ILOILO CITY CDRRMO-URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE

ILOILO CITY – Communities near the Jaro-Aganan River are set to benefit from a newly completed flood control structure built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the municipality of Alimodian, Iloilo province.

This P96.4 million project aims to enhance disaster resilience and safety in the region, according to DPWH-Western Visayas Director Sanny Boy Oropel.

The project in Barangay Bagumbayan, he said, consists of a 665-lineal meter revetment wall built on a steel sheet foundation.

READ: Mayor Treñas says drainage system issues caused floods in Iloilo City

This structure is designed to reduce the risk of flooding by diverting, storing, and releasing floodwaters in a controlled manner, especially during inclement weather.

“By limiting the amount of water rushing downstream, sedimentation and pollution in the river will be prevented, significantly reducing the risk of erosion of the river bank,” Oropel said in a media interview on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The flood control wall not only helps protect local communities but also safeguards the nearby Aganan Bridge from potential flood damage.

This ensures that the road remains open for the traveling public and facilitates the unhampered transportation of goods and services in the area.

Oropel emphasized the importance of this flood mitigation structure for communities along the Jaro-Aganan River, where agriculture and livestock are key livelihoods.

“Most communities along the Jaro-Aganan River depend on agricultural production and animal raising; hence, this flood mitigation structure will ensure the safety of their livelihood and enhance economic development in the locality,” he said.

Implemented by the DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office, this project is part of a broader initiative to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in the region.

It complements existing flood control structures along the Jaro-Aganan River, ensuring ongoing protection for residents and facilitating the uninterrupted transportation of goods, which is essential to the town’s economic health.