Albay: Infrastructure development in Albay's 3rd District is set to reach nearly PHP2 billion, covering flood mitigation, road networks, and bridge projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and disaster resilience in coastal, upland, and Mayon Volcano-affected communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, Albay 3rd District Representative Adrian Salceda announced that Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has assured the funding package, with implementation targeted by 2027. The initiative is crucial as it addresses the risk of lahar flows during the rainy season, particularly affecting the community of Guinobatan.
Central to the plan is a PHP500 million allocation for constructing two additional sabo dams in the Masarawag area of Guinobatan. These dams are designed to mitigate the risks of lahar and flash floods stemming from Mayon Volcano. The proposal for these new structures followed reports indicating that the existing, decades-old sabo dam had deteriorated, posing increased dangers during rainy seasons.
Rep. Salceda emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader risk reduction framework in collaboration with the local government of Guinobatan, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Field assessments identified the aging sabo dam system as a key factor in recurring flash floods, highlighting the necessity for these new projects.
In addition to flood mitigation, the PHP2 billion fund includes other critical infrastructure projects. These involve the PHP500 million Libon-Pantao Road (Sitio Dumalagan Section) viaduct, which aims to enhance inter-town connectivity, and the PHP250 million completion of the Pio Duran Boulevard Bridge, which will link Barangay 5 to Banawan. This bridge project is being implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the ROLL-IT program.
The development plan also covers the PHP250 million Pio Duran upland road, connecting several barangays from Palapas to Buenavista under the same ROLL-IT initiative, and the PHP500 million Pantao to BIA Road, which is envisioned as a seaport-to-airport linkage road.
Salceda added that these projects are part of a long-term development and mitigation strategy, including the proposed Southwest Quadrant Risk Reduction Infrastructure Development (STRIDE) program. This program aims to tackle lahar and flood hazards in Guinobatan and downstream areas, ensuring the community's safety and enhancing its resilience to natural disasters.
