By Claire Gigje
ILIGAN CITY (PIA)–Following the official opening of the Mandulog River Esplanade Tuesday, July 13, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office said the promenade is one of its flood control projects implemented in the city.
“Flood control project gyud ni siya. Igo lang ni gipagwapo. Instead makita ninyo nga boring nga flood control or riprap, kani ni siya gipagwapo lang,” said District Engineer Ali Khan Ali in an exclusive interview.
[This is really a flood control project. We just beautified this. Instead of seeing a boring flood control or riprap, this is just beautified.]
He said the project completed through the effort of City Lone District Congressman Frederick Siao is still part of the mandate of the DPWH constantly reiterated by Secretary Mark Villar which is to protect lives and save properties.
Ali said the P46,575,000-worth river boardwalk constructed by N.B. Salbo Construction and stretching along Mandulog river has a total length of 298 meters and a width of 8 meters.
Siao affirmed the district engineer’s statement that it is a flood control project as he pointed out the reason why the promenade is elevated compared to the houses around it saying it will obstruct huge flash floods.
He added that to make the project outstanding while not losing its prime purpose, they transformed it into something that would attract people, making it now an esplanade just like Iloilo’s.
Siao further highlighted that this effort is not just a one-time project as this will still continue to justify its purpose as a flood control project.
“Hindi siya one-time project kasi mahaba ang Mandulog river [This is not a one-time project because Mandulog river is long] so eventually, it will go on and on until it will reach the national highway,” he said. Philippine Information Agency
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