FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Westwoods Flooding and Landslide Concerns by: Pueblosales FLOODING CONCERNS Although Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PODC) is confident that its new development, Westwoods, is safe from flooding, it still commissioned a flood study in order to take extra precautionary steps to prevent flooding in the subdivision. What is a flood study? A flood study is a feasibility report to predict the depth of rainfall from a storm of a given duration and return period. Who conducted the flood study? The flood study was conducted by DCCD Engineering Corporation, the first integrated engineering firm in the Philippines to be awarded an ISO 9001 Certification. What were the results of the flood study? Because of Tagmatay creek’s meandering nature, some portions of the creek bordering Westwoods could be susceptible to scouring or erosion. DCCD has recommended that bank protection be installed in those areas. These shall comprise of retaining walls constructed from rock-filled wire baskets (gabions) built along the creek bank to provide erosion protection and structural stability to the bank. The lifespan of such a structure is long-term. Areas connecting Phase 2 to Phase 3 will also be elevated to complement the bank protection surrounding the bridge. How do we know that the flood study is effective and that Westwoods is safe from flooding? DCCD had previously conducted a flood study in Pueblo de Oro’s project in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. During the August 2012 habagat (monsoon) floods which affected Pampanga and other areas in Luzon including Metro Manila, Pueblo de Oro Pampanga was one of the areas that was not flooded even though nearby properties and subdivisions were submerged underwater. By implementing the recommendations of DCCD in Westwoods, the subdivision would be similarly safe from the effects of flooding. LANDSLIDE CONCERNS PODC has also commissioned a geotechnical study which was conducted on the slopes of the forest area and along the creek banks to determine the stability of soil and to address the issue of possible landslides. Is Westwoods prone to landslides? Findings from the geotechnical study show that the soil condition is rough and irregular, which means that even if the slopes are disturbed and left unprotected, landslide or erosion occurrence is unlikely. Who conducted the study? The geotechnical study was conducted by ASTEC Materials Testing Corporation, a geotechnical engineering and materials testing firm which has been accredited by the Bureau of Research and Standards of the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as American Society for Testing and Materials International. What measures have been taken to protect Westwoods from landslides? As a result of the study and in consideration for safety and the welfare of the Westwoods community, the design of the subdivision integrates landslide mitigation controls. These include run-off catch basins and interceptors along slopes at the foot of the hill so that water runoff can be collected and infiltrated or diverted. The subdivision’s slope-to-creek road and underground drainage orientation and design is also meant to drain rain and wastewater quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, water run-off from the plateau is channeled through a main collector system that slowly drains the water to the detention pond using dissipaters. In addition, most of the slopes remain undisturbed except for a portion near the entrance gate, where PODC constructed three-meter high slope protection retaining walls to provide structural stability of the slopes. PODC is also maintaining and constantly replanting the Pueblo Urban Rainforest because the trees and vegetation growing on the slopes serve as natural slope protection.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 03:31:59 +0000
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