Village officials in Cantilan town, Surigao del Sur welcomed the completion of the PHP70.4 million flood control project that aims to protect thousands of residents from flooding.

In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Public Works and Highways in Caraga (DPWH-13) said the seawall project in the coastal village of Consuelo has a total length of 302.4 lineal meters and was completed last December.

Leonardo C. Royo, barangay chairperson of Consuelo, told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday that the project would solve the longstanding flooding problem brought about by huge waves.

“During the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda, 18 houses in my village were destroyed by huge waves,” he said.

Royo expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the realization of the project, as well as the provincial and municipal leaders in the area.

He also commended the DPWH for pushing through with the seawall project until its completion in December. The project was undertaken by the DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st Engineering Office, which started the construction in March 2018.

DPWH-13 Director Pol M. Delos Santos said he was glad to hear that “the more than 1,000 residents of Barangay Consuelo now feel safe whenever there is heavy downpour of rain or bad weather condition, as the seawall is now serving as a concrete block to any possible danger brought by water.”

Delos Santos said that aside from flood protection, the seawall project is also seen to spur development in Consuelo and nearby villages.

“The town of Consuelo, though sits along the vast Pacific Ocean, is also facing numerous pristine islands and islets with white coral sand beaches and lush vegetation perfect to offer to tourists who seek vacation haven,” Delos Santos said. (PNA)