By Betheena Kae Unite  Structures that prevent overflowing of rivers and disastrous tidal surge on coastal communities were recently built in various provinces in the country to address flooding, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Thursday. Department of Public Works and Highways (MANILA BULLETIN) A 302.4-linear meter seawall was recently completed in Barangay Consuelo, Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur. It will serve as a concrete block and shield of the village from damage brought by flooding and strong water current. “We are glad that the residents of Barangay Consuelo will now be safe during heavy rains or bad weather conditions. With the community always facing the threat of flooding and possible tsunami, the seawall is a welcoming relief of protection”, District Engineer Ruel Bantugan said. With the completion of the seawall, local officials also look forward to more tourist visits that will spur livelihood opportunities in the area. Initial construction of the seawall started in March 2018 under the CY 2018 and then continued under CY 2019. The project was declared completed in December 2019 under P70.4-million fund. Flood-prone villages in Palo, Leyte are also expected to get ample protection from flooding with the completion of a 323.90-meter flood control structure along Bangon River, Barangay Arado, Palo, Leyte. According to DPWH Region 8 Regional Director Nerie Bueno, the P34.7-million river wall was constructed to prevent the overflowing of Bangon River, especially during typhoon season. “With the newly-completed 6.75-meter high embankment, residents will no longer have to worry for any threatening events when heavy rains occur as this structure was constructed in accordance with the department’s standard specifications for flood mitigating structures,” Bueno said. The flood-control project is funded under General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 of the Leyte First District Office. READ MORE: P19-million flood control project to protect Leyte town residents A flood control structure was also constructed along Las Pinas River with a provision of a paved road on Dona Julita to Naga Bridge in Barangay Pulang Lupa II DPWH-National Capital Region Director Ador Canlas said construction activities on the P91.68-million project include the 151-lineal meter structure with 5.4-meter high retaining wall, and 191-lineal meter pavement road which will also be used as an alternate route for motorists. Another flood-control project was recently completed in Barangay San Roque, San Mateo, Isabela to protect residents from flashfloods. According to DPWH Region 2 Director Loreta Malaluan the Magat River Flood Control Project, which was implemented under a P122-million cost, is designed to minimize the adverse effects of water overflow during heavy rains, destroying farmlands in the area. The flood control structure started in June 2019 and was completed by December 2019. Residents of the agricultural municipality of Mankayan, Benguet are also expected to benefit from the newly-constructed Baguyos Flood Mitigation project. It is a 1.3-kilometer protection wall traversing the Municipality of Mankayan. It aims to protect residents from the overflowing of the Baguyos and Abra River. The project also involves widening of the narrow sections of the river to increase capacity for water volume flow, with a total cost of P77.2-million funded under the 2019 General Appropriations Act, Villar said. In a recent press briefing the public works and highways secretary bared that a total of 6,022 flood control structures were built from 2016 to 2019. “For our part, the DPWH will continue to build more flood control structures nationwide, especially on highly-susceptible areas, as a mitigation measure to protect citizens, properties, and livelihood,” Villar said.