BACOLOD City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya, along with the officials of Barangay Sum-ag, inaugurated Tuesday, November 16, the flood wall and Esplanade projects along Sum-ag River.
Gasataya said the inauguration of the projects constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was part of the barangay's 19th Martesan Festival.
He said the flood wall project worth P20 million was part of the 2020 budget.
"We constructed the flood wall project so we can address the flood problem in the barangay and the esplanade was only added so that the residents can use the area for jogging or walking," he added.
Gasataya noted that the first phase of the project was already finished.
The second phase, which includes the construction of the flood wall and Esplanade going to the GK Village, still in Barangay Sum-ag, will continue next year.
"The National Government will allocate an additional fund to continue the projects in 2022," Gasataya said.
The projects will be turned over to the barangay so they can maintain the area, he added.
In 2019, the DPWH also constructed the first Esplanade project from Lupit Bridge along the Circumferential Road going to the Bacolod City Government Center.
The Esplanade project was constructed with a flood wall, benches, railings, lighting facilities and blocks to make the area more attractive.
For his part, Barangay Sum-ag Captain Rodney Carmona said he is thankful to Gasataya for the completion of said projects in their barangay.
"It's a big help to our constituents here not only to address the flood problem, but we can also boost our tourism," he said.
Carmona said that at least seven puroks in Barangay Sum-ag were identified as flood-prone areas.
