MANILA: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently completed a seawall project, ensuring heightened safety and security for the vibrant community along the coastline in Barangay Navotas, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. Based on the report of DPWH Regional Office 4-B (Mimaropa) Director Gerald Pacanan to Secretary Manuel Bonoan, the completed seawall project serves as a vital infrastructure in mitigating the risk of storm surges, particularly in the floodplain areas in Sitio Villa Antonio in Barangay Navotas. 'The completion of this project is a necessary step in fortifying disaster resilience in Calapan City, as coastal areas worldwide face unprecedented challenges from extreme weather events posing serious damage to lives and properties in the area,' Pacanan said in a news release on Friday. The DPWH-Mindoro Oriental District Engineering Office spearheaded the construction of this 183.26-linear-meter concrete revetment wall on steel sheet piles, which also includes the provision of a parapet wall and added detour road leading to the panoramic coastline in Barangay Navotas. Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the seawall project was completed in the amount of PHP19.59 million. CDO road improvement works The DPWH also announced the completion of the rehabilitation works on the damaged section of Sayre Highway in Cagayan De Oro City. DPWH Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Director Zenaida Tan, in her report to Bonoan, said restoring the damaged road pavement was deemed necessary due to numerous cracks and holes caused by heavy-loaded trucks, making it inaccessible to motorists. With a total allocated amount of PHP14.7 million from the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the completed preventive maintenance project involves the asphalt overlay spanning one kilometer and application of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings to enhance visibility during night time. 'This project was implemented under the agency's preventive maintenance program to ensure safety of the travelling public, increase quality of roads, and prolong service life to lessen repair costs in the future,' Bonoan said. Since its completion in May 2024, the implementing office of Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Engineering Office reported that the newly enhanced road has reduced the risk of accidents and significantly improved traffic flow in the area. Source: Philippines News Agency