BORACAY, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is using German technology in building the new drainage system of Boracay Island.
Six-meter long high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipes with a width of 1.2 meters will replace one-meter long reinforced concrete pipes that the DPWH traditionally use.
“Ang lifespan niya hundred years… In terms of sa size, doble po ang laki ng pipes na gagamitin namin sa project,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.
(It has a lifespan of 1oo years. The pipes that we are going to use for the project are twice the size of what was originally used.)
DPWH is planning to use 800 HDPE pipes for phase 1 of the project. Boracay is among the first to be installed with the said German technology.
Villar is confident that the storm drains they are building will be able to solve the flooding problems on the island especially during rainy season.
“Mabilis po ang installation at siyempre yung quality. Napakahalaga na itong.. yung quality ng pipes ay dapat pangmatagalan,” he said.
(Installation is quick and quality is considered. It is very important that the quality of the pipes is designed for long term use.)
Among the qualities of high density polyethylene is its capacity to contain man-made chemicals and solid waste to prevent leakage and contamination.
“Dati kasi kulang na kulang yung capacity sa drainage sa sewerage kaya ngayon po inanticipate namin yung demand. So ngayon pa lang malaki na para hindi tayo mahihirapan,” Villar explained.
(In the past, the drainage capacity in the sewerage was so insufficient. This time we anticipated the demand and increased the size to avoid future problems.)
The 5-kilometer drainage project has a total cost of P540-million.
The DPWH is targeting to complete installation by October for the reopening of the country’s top destination. — Vincent Arboleda | UNTV News & Rescue
