In Southern Leyte landslide-hit road network to be restored

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways has started preparations for the full rehabilitation next year of a road network in Southern Leyte that had been damaged by recurring landslides.

The road network will undergo soil stability works first this year, within the 200-meter stretch along Barangay Pancho Villa in Sogod town to prevent mudslides from occurring in the future. Massive mud slides affected this road section last March, followed by minor landslides in the past few months.

DPWH-Southern Leyte director, Ma. Margarita Junia, said the soil stabilization works, which will be completed within the year, will utilize displacement piling installation method to stabilize the foundation of the landslide-hit road section.

Displacement piling installation would provide foundation support, like in buildings and other structures, by driving piles into the ground without removing any soil or other material until it reaches the stable layer of the ground.

“Based on the results of the soil exploration conducted in March, this is the most reasonable option to take. We will drive piles 30 meters below underground to reach the solid ground foundation and create sheet pile afterwards. Through this, we will be able to stabilize the ground there, thus, addressing the threat of the continuing ground movement,” Junia told The Freeman in a phone interview.

The rehabilitation of the highway, which forms part the vital link from Visayas to Mindanao, will follow immediately once stabilization works are done, she said. "After stabilizing the ground, the DPWH will use the slope protection technology to mitigate landslides, and then repair of the road will begin."

Junia however said the rehabilitation plans and designs are still to be approved by the DPWH central office.

At present, only one lane is passable in the 200-meter portion of the national highway, and Junia advised the public to take alternate routes until this damaged portion of the road network is resolved.