MAASIN CITY (PIA) — More than a thousand individuals in Barangay Asuncion, a coastal barangay on the outskirts of the city proper here, now feel much safer against storm surges because of the recent completion of a seawall project.
The barangay faces the Mindanao Sea, where huge waves pound its coast during the habagat season.
“Sa una gibanlas among bay sa bawod, diha mi sa sulod, maajo gani kay hunas to, pero sukad nahuman ni nga project mga duha na ka habagat ninglabay, luwas na mi,” said Joy Pasaylo, a father of four children.
(Our house was swept by the waves, we are inside, good that it was low tide then, but since the project was finished, two southwest monsoons had passed, and we are safe.)
“Kapin libo ka mga lumolupyo sa upat ka mga purok sa barangay ang mapanalipdan niini nga shoreline project,” said Raeden Mark Serdan, barangay chairperson, in a brief chat with the Philippine Information Agency right after the project’s inauguration last month, attended by provincial and city officials led by Mayor Nacional Mercado.
Also present at the inauguration rites were First District Rep. Luz Mercado, former DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado, several barangay officials, and DPWH personnel and staff led by District Engineer Manolo Rojas.
“People of Mambajao and Asuncion, nakasiguro ko nga makatulog na mo bisan naay habagat,” said Rojas in his opening remarks during the program.
(People of Mambajao and Asuncion I am sure you can now sleep even when there is southwest monsoon.)
Rep. Mercado said the importance of the project cannot be overemphasized, while former DPWH Secretary Mercado cited the seawall structure as something that can bring peace of mind and security of the people, while providing a secure hiding area for fisherfolks’ boats during inclement weather.
The shoreline protection was reinforced with solid, huge tetrapods lining the dike as added protection against onrushing waves and storm surges, spanning almost 2 kilometers. The project, which began in 2021, has a total cost of P298 million, said Rojas. (MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)
