DPWH readies for floods, landslides in Eastern Visayas

Public works teams have been placed on alert in Eastern Visayas for possible floods and landslides in the last two months of the year. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said its teams in the region will keep watch over flood and slide-prone areas as part of their disaster preparedness program. "DPWH Region 8 Director Rolando Asis directed the conduct of inventory of areas which usually experience flooding and landslides as more rains are still expected in this last two remaining months of the year 2010," the DPWH said in an article on its website. The DPWH said Asis also ordered the installation of warning signs in areas identified as landslide-prone to inform the motoring public. Field personnel and risk and rescue teams were formed to ensure immediate response when an emergency occurs, the DPWH added. The teams are directed to provide 24/7 assistance to motorists and the general public during such emergencies. On the other hand, district maintenance teams are undertaking intensified declogging of canals and waterways to minimize, if not prevent, flooding during heavy rainfall. "DPWH is also advocating public support against littering to prevent clogging of drainage and advised people to be vigilant for advisories on landslides to mitigate loss of lives and damage to properties," the DPWH said. The DPWH Region 8 will also adopt innovative technology such as geotextiles and coco-netting in their slope protection and soil erosion control projects. The Regional Office will also coordinate with other agencies in non-structural measures such as slope management, community-based disaster management plan, solid waste and waste water management and relocation of informal settlers particularly along rivers and waterways. –VVP, GMANews.TV