DPWH Upper Kalinga DEO defends rock netting projects over public petition

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Slope protection projects through rock netting reduce road accidents, especially in areas prone to landslide and prevents erosion and rock slides.

The District Engineer of Upper Kalinga DEO, Engr. Teodoro Owek, affirmed this in response to the petition letter submitted in May 2023 by the provincial officials, civic leaders, and some residents before the Office of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, asking for the “immediate stoppage and investigation” of ongoing rock netting projects in Kalinga.

Rock netting projects being implemented in various national road sections cost around P2 billion.

“We have observed that the Rock Netting Projects that were already completed in the province of Kalinga are not environmentally and economically sound considering that the Government would spend about 100 million pesos for a certain section consisting of more or less 100 meters only,” reads the petition.

“Moreover, instead of addressing the problems of erosion and rock slides, the substandard projects have become a threat to life, limb and property and the Kalinga people do not trust their effectiveness especially during rainy seasons and after the occurrence of earth quakes,” it added.

The petition was also sent to the Office of the President, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Central Office and to the Congress.

The Office of the Upper Kalinga DEO did not receive order to stop the projects as of yet and according to Owek, the projects are not being funded by their department.

“Dakami, we don’t have the power nga kuna mi nga, ‘Ay, saan tayo a pondoan daytoy.’ Kunak kitdi a ket ag-thank you kami ta adda ti nayun iti road improvement,” he said in his interview with PTV Cordillera.

“Saan met nga amin iti slopes ti kalsada ket maikkan (ti rock net) nu di ket adda dagiay sections nga ipapa-identify tayo kadagiti taga-planning nga isuda ti mangkitkita nu talaga kasapulan diay project nga rock netting,” he added.

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