Baguio dumpsite wall done; park next

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The restoration of the collapsed retaining wall at the Irisan dump facility has been completed and the city can begin the process of converting the area into an eco-park, Mayor Mauricio Domogan announced on Wednesday.

           
The mayor said he inspected the site last week and found that the project funded by the P80 million approved by President Benigno S. Aquino III and undertaken by the Baguio City District Engineering Office of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been finished.

          
The project was intended to rehabilitate the collapsed wall into a more sturdy structure that could withstand strong typhoons and heavy rains and stabilize the dump facility preparatory to its conversion into a nature park.

The work started last January and was finished right on target which according to BCDEO project facilitator Engr. John Paul Buliyat was set for August this year.

           
The project’s scope of work consisted of structure excavation; rock excavation; construction of box culvert, open canal, canal with gratings and pathwalk; reinforced concrete retaining wall; litter fence; embankment and benching and stabilization of slope; grouting works; sewer pipes and drain pipes; final cover/top soil; gas vents; suction pump; manhole; and hauling of materials.

Now that the site has been stabilized, the city can now pursue its plan to convert the area into a nature park as part of the final closure plan for the facility.

He said the city will allot an amount in the 2014 budget to implement the conversion of the site into an eco-park based on the upgrading plan being prepared for the purpose.