Catarman N. Samar-Residents along the coast of Brgy. San Lazaro in Victoria town will no longer worry against big waves and flooding as the Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office completed the construction of P96.47-M seawall project.
The project involves the construction of a 387-meter reinforced concrete revetment resting on sheet piles and a 13-meter section on a structural concrete foundation. The scope of work also includes the placement of 620.70 cubic meters of rubble concrete and the construction of the necessary embankment works to ensure the structural stability and long-term performance of the shoreline protection system.
Before the seawall project, residents have always feared the big waves brought about by the severe weather condition.
“Usa po ako nga nagpapasalamat,dako-dako an pasalamat namon sine yana nga bag-o nga seawall tungod kay dako-dako gud nga protection sa amon,labi na kun mga maraot an panahon, nakakaharang san amon didi lalo na kun daragko an balud, irog siton.mga kahoy nga gin-aaranod,deri na nakakadi sa kalsada ngan maupay na an amon pag-agi,nakakalakaw-lakaw na kami lalo pa kun magjogging-jogging na may mga edad na kami,nakakalakaw-lakaw na kami sin maupay.Dako-dako gud talaga am pasalamat siton duon.” said Mrs. Elizabeth Heras
Another resident, Irene H. Gewabe, recalled the fear and hardship she experienced during Typhoon Tisoy.
“Sadto po kasi san Bagyo nga Tisoy nag-hibi na ako sadto sa kahadlok kay daragkuon an balud,waray pa sadto seawall,ngan yana maupay naman kay mayda na seawall.”
While Brgy. Captain Esteban C. Francisco III also expressed his thoughts about the newly completed project.
“An dako nga benepisyo nga nahimo iton yana nga seawall kay san una, an amon sadto baybay/gilid sa dagat talaga dako nga damaged permi kun naabot an kalamidad.So,dako an naiban san amon area san amon piliw san dagat tungod san waray nakakapugong or nakaka-balabag nga san mga balod nga natama dida san Baybay. So ine yana nga nahimo nga seawall,dako ine nga benipisyo nga ginhatag sa barangay tungod san dako nga proteksyon dire la sa barangay kundi sa tanan nga ada nangangabuhi sa dagat sugad san mga parag isda.Dako an benepisyo kay tungod an mga balay nga adi sa gilid sa dagat,vulnerable gud kami sa mga kalamidad labi na kun mga bagyo,naabot an sugad siton tsunami or kun mayda an tsunami warning.Dako an amon gamit sine ngan benepisyo nga narereceived kaupayan san komunidad san Brgy. San Lazaro.”
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio said that aside from the protection benefits, residents and visitors can now also enjoy activities like walking and sight-seeing along the seawall.
San Lazaro is a coastal barangay in the Municipality of Victoria, where fishing serves as the primary source of livelihood for many residents.
The project was constructed on June 09,2025 and was completed on April 21, 2026.
ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR
