TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 21 (PIA) – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8 Director Rolando Asis disclosed that his office has listed 58 projects in Eastern Visayas that needs bio-engineering technology with an estimated area application of 208,205 square meters.
Director Asis said DPWH-8 proposed a P32.9 million budget to finance projects in Eastern Visayas that require coco nets application designed to stabilize slopes.
The instruction to district engineers is to put coco nets in all areas of the national roads where it is needed, Director Asis said.
Director Asis disclosed tha of the 58 projects, sixteen are in Southern Leyte, fifteen in the province of Leyte, twelve in Northern Samar, seven in Eastern Samar, six in Samar and two in Biliran.
Southern Leyte and Leyte have the most number of proposed projects due to unstable soil conditions attributing to occurrence of landslide especially during rainy seasons or continuous heavy rains.
Coco nets will help in slope stabilization, soil conditioning, soil erosion, prevention and river bank protection. The installation ofo coco coir will prioritize roadsides of national highways with steep slopes.
In an earlier statement, Secretary Rogelio Singson said that instead of concrete creeksides and embankments, coco nets made from coconut husk are to be tapped to prevent landslides.
Coco nets are derived from the fibrous husks of coconuts. The fiber extracted from the discarded coconuts husks which is commonly known as coco coir, has to undergo further twining and weaving for it to become a geotextile.
Under the system, coco fiber nets are laid on the eroded area and initially¸grasses are planted. The coco fiber will hold the grasses that will prevent the land from eroding and being washed away during rainfall.
After about three to six nonths, vegetation can already be seen. This will make the soil more stable, Director Asis explained.
The realization of the project will mean benefits in terms of labor of the local people in the installation of coco nets and processing of raw materials in communities.
The objective of the project is not just to mitigate problems during natural calamities, but also to imrove the lives of the peope in the rural areas. (PIA 8)
SOURCE: Philippines Information Agency
