TANAUAN, Leyte- A public consultation with the residents of Barangay Sto. Niño, this town, affected by the road heightening and tide embankment (HRTE) project was conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-8 officials last September 23, 2016.
Also present during the public consultation were Mayor Pelagio Tecson, Jr., some local barangay officials and some 21 residents who will be affected by the project.
The said consultation aimed to resolve the issue of the original alignment of HRTE in contrast to the proposed new alignment to the existing barangay road.
This is part of the 3.1 kilometer project (Section 6) of HRTE which stretches from Calogcog Junction and ends at Bislig Rotonda, this town.
The proposed new alignment is to the existing barangay road instead of the original alignment which is 40 meters from the shoreline.
The original alignment will preserve the shore area based on tourism development plan and will avoid affecting concrete residential houses and other structures.
The majority of residents that will be affected with the new alignment finally agreed to reconsider the original proposed plan of DPWH.
Other issues raised by the affected residents by the original plan include livelihood, boat landing, and structures, i.e. homes.
This was also resolved and assured by Mayor Tecson that these have been taken into consideration by the Area Management Committee of HRTE.
DPWH requested assistance from the barangay officials to facilitate parceliary survey requirements like: proof of ownership; title of land among others.
Affected structures, properties on land surface like plants, houses, etc. will be paid by the government.
The consultation concluded with barangay resolution signed by the persons affected by the project endorsing the original plan or alignment.
A follow-up barangay session will be conducted on October 1, 2016 at the Brgy. Sto. Niño Hall to discuss other matters.
The P 7.9 billion HRTE project include civil works and right of way acquisition broken down in four years – P1.46 billion for 2016, P 1.19 billion for 2017, P 2.64 billion for 2018, and P 2.64 for 2019.
This 27.3-kilometer project stretches from Diit village in Tacloban to Brgy. Cabuynan in Tanauan town.
Sections 1 to 3 are in Tacloban, Section 4 is coastal villages of Tacloban and Palo, Section 5 is some areas in Palo and Tanauan, and Section 6 in Tanauan town to Bislig.
The four-meter high structure is designed to shield coastal communities from storm surges similar to that generated by supertyphoon “Yolanda.” (PR)
